Hour of Prayer in solidarity with Ukraine
On Monday 11th April 2022 senior church leaders representing various Christian denominations came together today in an ecumenical Hour of Prayer for Ukraine, at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London
The service followed an event in March where senior faith leaders met with Faith Minister Kemi Badenoch at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, and was a further demonstration of solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people.
The service reflected a breadth of different spiritualities, traditions and ways of prayer, beginning with the chanting of the Sixth Hour Office of the Ukrainian Church by the Cathedral Clergy, led by the Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London.
Bishop Nowakowski said:
“It was a very moving experience to be united in prayer with so many leaders of the Churches and Christian Faith communities of London at Holy Family in Exile Cathedral for peace in Ukraine. We cannot underestimate the power of prayer as our Lord Jesus Christ told us that ‘Where ever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there with you.’”
A succession of prayers by church leaders of various Christian denominations followed, including from HE Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullally DBE. Other leaders included
- HE Archbishop Angaelos – Coptic Orthodox Church
- The Revd George Watt – Moderator of the Thames North Synod of the United Reformed Church
- The Revd Les Isaac – Ascension Trust
- The Revd Phil Barnard - Team Leader London Baptist Association
- Lieut-Col David Shakespeare – Divisional Commander, North London Salvation Army
Bishop Paul Hendricks, who also attended the service with other senior clergy, commented:
I was delighted to have the opportunity to pray publicly with the London Church Leaders — for peace, for Ukraine and for its people — adding to all our personal prayers over these past weeks.
Bishop Kenneth is a loved and valued member of our Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and I have greatly enjoyed my visits to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral over the years.
My thoughts and prayers are with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, here in the UK, in Ukraine itself and elsewhere around the world. Let us continue to pray for them, and for a speedy and just peace.
