Although it’s scarcely mentioned in the news these days, the war in Ukraine rages on. As the third anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion approaches, the RCA’s Commission on Christian Unity is especially mindful of Jesus’s gospel of peace and the power of prayer. The commission also calls to mind the connections made between members of the commission and the leadership of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (UOC-USA), as well as the UOC’s requested continuation of prayers and support.
In the fall of 2023, members of the commission visited His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA, and President of the Consistory, at the UOC-USA headquarters in New Jersey. At that meeting, the commission members heard of the suffering of the people of Ukraine; in turn, the commission offered prayers for comfort and for peace. Subsequently, Archbishop Daniel Zelensky sent video greetings to the 2024 General Synod, thanking the RCA for its support and prayers and suggesting ways to strengthen this relationship.
Upon this third anniversary, all Ukrainian Orthodox Churches in the United States will be offering special prayers for the wellbeing of Ukraine on Sunday, February 23, as well as prayers for those who continue to suffer and for the repose of the souls of those who have died. They will also be ringing their church bells that evening at 8:59 p.m. (EST) to mark the exact time the invasion began three years ago.
The Commission on Christian Unity invites RCA congregations to remember the people of Ukraine and pray for peace in that region during services on Sunday, February 23, and until the war concludes.
>> Pray this prayer for God’s mercy in Ukraine, as written by the Commission on Christian Action in 2022.
For more information, visit www.uocofusa.org, the website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.
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