WCC News: Ukrainian churches hold National Day of Prayer for just peace

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, on 24 February, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will hold a National Day of Prayer for just peace, and is inviting various religious traditions in Ukraine and beyond to join in prayer. Church tower shines through the remains of the Russian military equipment destroyed during the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, displayed at the Mykhailivska Square, Kyiv, August 2022. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 24 February 2026 “The war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of international norms and rules has brought immense suffering, grief, and losses to the Ukrainian people,” notes the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) in its call for prayer.  “The war has caused the deaths of thousands upon thousands of Ukrainians, the brutal violation of human rights and freedoms in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including targeted religious persecution; the abduction of Ukrainian children, horrific treatment of military personnel and civilian prisoners, the destruction of cities and civilian infrastructure in our country”, states the UCCRO call, adding that the war has triggered the largest migration crisis in Europe in the 21st century. “At this time, we honor the memory of every defender who gave his or her life and health for Ukraine, and we offer prayers that God may strengthen and comfort their families.” Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations calls on representatives of various religious traditions in Ukraine and beyond to turn to the Almighty on this day, asking for a just peace for Ukraine: “God the Great, the One, protect Ukraine for us! We invoke God’s blessing upon Ukraine and the Ukrainian people!” Appeal of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations on the occasion of the Fourth Anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the National Day of Prayer for Ukraine On fourth anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine, WCC urges just, sustainable peace (WCC news release, 20 February 2026) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland