Page 20 - The Portal magazine - March 2025

THE P RTAL March 2025 Page 20

On the third anniversary…

David Chapman reports

HREE YEARS ago we heard of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. We thought it
Twould be but a short time before the situation was resolved and Ukraine could enjoy peace once more.
No-one thought that, three years on, the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile, just off
London’s Oxford Street, would be filled to capacity with people of many nationalities and faiths, together
with faith leaders and political representatives, gathered to pray again, most urgently, for peace and justice.

This ‘Interfaith Prayer Service’ was a General Valerii Zaluzhnyi from the
moving and dignified occasion, presided Ukrainian Embassy to the UK told the
over with his usual warmth by Bishop congregation that for three years the
Kenneth Nowakowski. After he had called people of Ukraine have been fighting
the large and vociferous congregation to for not just their land, but for their
prayer, Bishop Kenneth spoke movingly freedom and justice. “Ukraine did
of the shock and sadness he experienced not choose this war, but we choose to
when war broke out – feelings that, sadly, fight to defend our cause, our families
persist to this day. He spoke also with and our future.” He said that Ukraine
immense gratitude for the support and was “deeply grateful” to the UK. “Your
friendship the Ukrainians experienced support gives us strength and hope.”
from the British people. Mere words cannot convey the

beauty and poignancy of the music
Three candles were brought forward, which was part of this service. The
representing the three years of warfare. VIVO Quartet, the Modus String Trio
The children of St Mary’s Ukrainian and the Cathedral Choir contributed
School then sang a song in English: greatly to the prayerful atmosphere.
This is what we want. After the closing prayer by the Very
This is what we need. Revd Fr Bohdan Matwijczuk of the
Together we strive for peace. Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox
Church there were two anthems. The
Fr Taras Mykhalchuk, Pastor of Ss. final one was our National Anthem,
Peter & Paul’s Garrison Church in Lviv, the tune of which is sometimes
spoke of his ministry there – including criticised as being banal. Not so on
funerals every day. He impressed on us this occasion – it was most beautifully
the need to pray, to hope and to love and sung and accompanied by the
these themes were repeated throughout P ic tur es: © B asil Y oudell musicians and became a real prayer,
Pictures: © Basil Youdell
the service. It was most noticeable that signifying the gratitude of the Ukraine to this country
there was no bitterness or anger expressed – as well – its King, its leaders and its people. Before that was
there might have been – but that there should be the Spiritual Anthem of Ukraine, and although the
prayer that justice and peace should prevail. translation is hardly as poetic as the original, a couple
of verses will be a fitting end to this article:
Prayers were offered by The Right Revd Dame
Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London from the Church of Lord, O the Great and Almighty
England; by Archbishop Nikitas Loulias, of the Greek protect our beloved Ukraine.
Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain; Bless her with the freedom and light
by Archbishop Anba Angaelos OBE of the Coptic of your holy rays.
Orthodox Church and by Bishop James Curry of the Bless us with freedom.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster. Each of Bless us with wisdom.
these urged, in their own styles, prayer for the people Guide us into a kind world.
of Ukraine and for peace. Perhaps the most powerful Bless us, O Lord with good fortune
prayer was that offered by Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg for ever and evermore.
of the New London Synagogue and Senior Rabbi of To which let us all offer a fervent AMEN.
Masorti Judaism.