Church leaders have led prayers for peace and justice in Ukraine at an interfaith service in London, four years on from the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.
Representatives from Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Jewish traditions were led by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski OBE, at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile.
Politicians, charity workers and supporters of Ukraine also gathered, remembering those who had been killed and displaced during the conflict.
Bishop Kenneth told Premier Christian News of his gratitude for the “overwhelming generosity” given by the British government and its people since the outbreak of the war.
He explained the significance of bringing together leaders of different faith backgrounds to reflect the diversity of Ukraine, and the cross-denominational support for refugees.
The cathedral’s lights were turned off during the service, as an act of solidarity for those in Ukraine who continue to suffer without electricity after Russian bombing of infrastructure.
Candles had been lit at the front of the church by the defence secretary, John Healey, and Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
“These last several weeks, there have been very harsh winter conditions,” Bishop Kenneth said, “and because of the destruction of energy infrastructure, people have been without electricity for days at a time.”
“Without electricity, that means no heating. If you don't have natural gas coming into your residence, then you have no ability to prepare food. If you're living on the 20th or 25th floor of a high rise, your lift is not working. These are the daily struggles for ordinary people,” he added.
Each faith leader offered a prayer focused on a different aspect of the war. These included prayers for the bereaved, the children who have been kidnapped by Russian forces, and for troops and emergency services responding to the attacks.
St Mary’s Ukrainian Children’s Choir were one of the musical groups that performed, providing an emotional opportunity for reflection among those gathered.
Alongside encouraging prayers for peace and justice, Bishop Kenneth posed a challenge for Christians in responding to the war and the frustrations in reaching a resolution.
“How can we expect our world leaders to begin to talk about peace and bring about peace, if they have not come from homes where peace is important? That they have not come from neighbourhoods where peace, kindness and gentleness is the normal attitude?
“How do we elect leaders who have never experienced what kindness, gentleness and peace is, in their homes, in their neighbourhoods, in our towns and cities?
“So as Christians, we need to ensure that we have kindness, gentleness and respect in our own home, in our neighbourhood, where we work, where we play, where we recreate, where we eat, to those who serve us.
“We don't need to just do the big things. Doing those little things will contribute to peace in the world in a very tangible way.”