WCC News: Prayers for Ukraine affirm values of freedom, human dignity, peace

Prayers for Ukraine rang ’round the world on 24 August, from large ecumenical services to quiet reflections, all expressing solidarity and determination for justice and peace. The day also marked the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Ecumenical prayer service at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on 24 August 2026 marked the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence. Photo: Protodeacon Andriy Sydor/OCU 25 August 2026 An interfaith prayer service held at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv was attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, as well as heads of various churches and leaders of religious organizations. After a chamber choir performed the Lord's Prayer, representatives from various churches and religious organizations took turns offering prayers for Ukraine. They called for an end to the war and for just peace, for protection for the Ukrainian people, for the return of children, prisoners, and those missing in action, for the healing of the wounded, and for unity. Prayers were offered by Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Epiphanius, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav, Head of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Head of the All-Ukrainian Union of the Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists Valerii Antoniuk, President of the Union of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine Yaakov Dov Bleich, Supreme Mufti of Ukraine Sheikh Ahmed Tamim, Bishop of the Transcarpathian Reformed Church Sándor Zán Fábián, and Senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church Anatoliy Kozachok. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, representing the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, expressed gratitude to God for “the gift of freedom, for the gift of a free, united, and independent Ukrainian state.” He appealed to Christ, the King of Peace, asking for “an end to the war, victory over the unjust aggressor, and the gift of just, heavenly peace for our homeland and for our people”. He implored to God for unity among the Ukrainian people. “Grant that we have unity and freedom, and that Your eternal divine love may reign in all things,” he prayed.  The ecumenical prayer took place as part of the World Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine, which the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations had called for. The gathering concluded with a joint performance of Ukraine’s spiritual anthem, "Prayer for Ukraine.” Metropolitan Epiphany, Orthodox Church of Ukraine, reflected on how Ukraine has fought for the truth, for language, for faith, for freedom, and for the right to freely make choices. “And for the last 12-and-a-half years, we have been forced to fight for the right to live on our own, God-given land, for the right not to depend on anyone and to be the masters of our own home, to determine the fate of our state, our people, our Church,” he said. "Therefore, the word ‘independence’ is inseparable to the words ‘struggle,’ ‘dignity,’ ‘freedom.’” The metropolitan noted that Ukrainian people are worthy of their independence. “Thirty-five years is a long time by human standards, but relatively short for the history of a nation,” he said. “However, we know that we have a glorious 1,000-year history of Ukraine-Rus’; we have strong roots and an ancient faith, our own culture and traditions, our native church, numerous saints.” He reflected that all the people, like cells in the body, make up the "body" of the state. “And as long as we hold together, as long as we care for each other, protect and defend, as long as we preserve the ‘soul’ of our people, our Ukrainian Church - the Ukrainian people will live, have the strength to fight and, with God's help, will prevail,” he said. “Great and One God, protect Ukraine!” Ukrainian churches appeal for Worldwide prayer as expression of solidarity (WCC news release, 13 August 2026) Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations: Prayer for Ukraine held at Saint Sophia of Kyiv PHOTO GALLERY: Ecumenical Prayer for Ukraine at St. Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv An interfaith prayer service held at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv was attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, as well as heads of Ukraine's churches and religious organizations. Photo: Protodeacon Andriy Sydor/OCU 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