WCC News: Churches invited to join global prayer chain for Ukraine

Churches across the world are ready to join a World Prayer for Ukraine on Sunday, 24 August. Hosted by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, the global prayer chain will ask for a just and lasting peace—that God will stop the war and that light will overcome darkness. People wearing the colours of the Ukrainian flag celebrate mass inside the Church of Saint Catherine at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine, November 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 21 August 2025 The prayer will be held on the day when Ukraine, during ongoing Russian military aggression, will celebrate its 34th Independence Day. An online prayer calendar allows churches and individuals to sign up for prayer times, and the prayer website lists prayer needs and provides other resources for reflection and sharing. The prayer will also urge the protection of Christians in the occupied territories and for all those who minister under persecution; for the return of abducted children and healing for wounded families; and for comfort for those who have lost loved ones and for emotional and spiritual restoration. About 700 temples and churches of various denominations have been destroyed or damaged as a result of the military actions in Ukraine. More than 70 Ukrainian pastors and priests have been killed by Russian troops. The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations is an interdenominational and interreligious association that represents 95% of the religious community of Ukraine.  World Council of Churches commends to all WCC member churches and ecumenical partners the call issued by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations to join a World Day of Prayer for Ukraine on 24 August and pray for the end of the war.  WCC expresses hope and prayer for a just peace for people of Ukraine (WCC news release, 15 August 2025) Appeal of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations on the occasion of the World Prayer for Ukraine Learn more about the Global Prayer for Ukraine on 24 August 2025 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

WCC News: Easter messages from Ukraine: “pray for us, stay with us”

People in Ukraine observed their fourth Easter since the Russian invasion of their nation. Oleksandra Kovalenko, a member of the Ukrainian delegation at the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, and Valentyn Hrebennyk, a graduate of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey shares their Easter experience and encourages the WCC fellowship to continue praying for people of Ukraine. During the Easter celebrations, parishioners gather in front the of Saint Yaroslav the Wise church in Kyiv (a part of the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv") to receive the blessing for the Easter bread paska. Photo: Courtesy of Oleksandra Kovalenko 09 May 2025 Oleksandra Kovalenko, a member of the Ukrainian delegation at the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022, described how, traditionally, Easter is one of the most important holidays in Ukraine, with not only religious but also deep cultural meaning.  “Even nonbelievers usually prepare for the celebration by making traditional Easter bread, making paska, and decorating the eggs,” she said. Over the last few years, the usual timeline of the church celebration has shifted: there is no possibility of celebrating the Easter liturgy at midnight, due to a curfew, so the service is held at dawn. Oleksandra Kovalenko, a member of the Ukrainian delegation at the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022. Photo: Courtesy of Oleksandra Kovalenko Pain and joy “I've been reflecting a lot on the past three years, and how emotions on this day have changed with time, as it is already our fourth Easter during the full-scale war, from the total confusion and disbelief of the first year, to sadness and hope of the second, gradual acceptance of the reality on the third one, and now—pain and tiredness that is intertwined with quiet Easter joy and gratitude,” she said. Many Ukrainians have lost their loved ones because of the war.  “In just a few last weeks, several dozen civilians were killed as a result of the Russian missile and drone attacks—young and old, men, women, and children,” said Kovalenko. “We see suffering and destruction of lives daily, and no place feels safe enough to escape this reality.” She added that she hopes the World Council of Churches (WCC) prays for the just and lasting peace for Ukraine, for the healing and comforting of everyone suffering from the loss of their loved ones, for the ones who are injured and hurt, for those in captivity, for children who were forcefully taken away from their homes and their families to Russian orphanages, that they will return home. “For everyone struggling, hurting, and in disbelief,” said Kovalenko.  “Please, pray for us, stay with us, and help those you can help in your own place. It is really important to know that we are not alone in this battle.” Valentyn Hrebennyk, a graduate of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, and currently a presbyter at the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, spent Easter day in prayers, providing the special Orthodox services during Holy Week like matins, vespers, and liturgies. “Prayers, gospel readings, reflections with the parishioners—all of that helps to concentrate the mind around the story of Christ’s passion and future Resurrection that is so relevant for Ukrainians today, when every night Russian drones fly above our roofs seeking new victims.” Valentyn Hrebennyk, presbyter at the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and graduate of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. Photo: Courtesy of Valentyn Hrebennyk After the Russian invasion, Hrebennyk describes living in the new reality that has a routine: Russian missile or drone strikes, sirens, shelters, and funerals of the defenders of Ukraine. “And, of course, on the fourth year of war our parishioners need much more empathy and support from their priests than even before,” he said. “During the atheistic communist times, between Ukrainian believers, one phrase was very popular: ‘Christ is Risen – Ukraine will rise.’ ”  That is why Easter’s message of joy and Christ’s light that came after a period of suffering and darkness is very important for faithful Ukrainians, Hrebennyk said. “It gives us hope and courage to keep our fight with the sin and the invaders,” he said. Hrebennyk also had some serious practical concerns during Holy Week—concerns about the safety of the people. "On Palm Sunday, Russians hit the city-center of Sumy using two ballistic missiles,” he said. “They killed 35 civilians, among them two children, and wounded 117, among them 15 children.”  Some of the victims were people who were coming back from the church service. “Therefore, before Easter service I had to be sure that our shelter under the church could hide much more people than usual if there was an air raid alert,” he said. “But, luckily, it was not necessary.” Easter service at the Church of the Assembly of Kyiv Saints, Kyiv, Ukraine, 20 April 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Valentyn Hrebennyk More unity Hrebennyk believes people should be united in faith, values, and commitment—more than ever before. “This year all of us celebrated Easter together,” he said. “So, let’s not only celebrate, but work hard together.” He believes that Christians should not be indifferent, and should not tolerate evil and crimes. “We neglected the prophetical voice of the churches. So, let’s find the courage of the ancient Christian martyrs! Let’s clearly name the evil as evil, the sin as sin, and the crime as crime.” Hrebennyk asked the World Council of Churches to pray for the end of the war, and to pray for just peace for Ukraine. “You can pray for Ukrainian defenders, those who spent Easter in trenches on the frontlines, protecting our country, our people, and our Ukrainian identity from destruction,” he said. “You can pray for Ukrainian prisoners of war, for Ukrainians who are under Russian occupation—all those who are suffering and suffered Russian tortures as it was in Bucha, Irpin, Izum, as it is in the occupied territories now.” Hrebennyk also asks people to pray for Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia and for their return to their Ukrainian parents. “You can pray for our civilians, who are trying to live normal lives under the threat of missile strikes,” he said. “You can pray for Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people who lost their homes and are trying to find their place in the new environment.” He also noted that prayers are needed for Ukrainian ecology, as thousands of mines have caused great damage. “There are plenty of topics to pray for,” Hrebennyk said. “But again we need not only your prayers, but your deeds and your voices united in the ecumenical demand of justice and peace.” Easter on the frontlines in Ukraine: “Resurrection is our hope” (WCC interview with Rev. Anatoliy Raychynets, 28 April 2025) 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 352 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

WCC News: Easter on the frontlines in Ukraine: “Resurrection is our hope”

Rev. Anatoliy Raychynets, head of external relations of the Ukrainian Evangelical Church and deputy general secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Society, is a chaplain sharing prayers and messages with Ukrainian men and women serving on the frontlines of the war.  Rev. Anatoliy Raychynets (Ukrainian Evangelical Church), deputy general secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Society and a volunteer chaplain: “People who pray for us and with us—you are angels sent from God.” Photo: Courtesy of Anatoliy Raychynets 28 April 2025 Raychynets is part of an ecumenical chaplaincy delegation that includes clergy in Ukraine from the Baptist Church, Ukrainian Evangelical Church, Roman Catholic Church, and Orthodox churches. The delegation left Kyiv for the frontlines on Easter Sunday. On 24 April, as Raychynets and the chaplaincy delegation continued to bring Easter tidings to men and women, he took time to share what he is witnessing.  “They have been mobilized to serve, and many of them would very much like to be in church, so to bring the gospel here is a great joy, and there is so much gratefulness, because it means so much to those who are in very different circumstances,” he said. For the chaplains, this work during the week after Easter brings a lot of joy—but also challenges that are all but insurmountable. “We are still here, and this week, all week, we have unit after unit asking us: can you come here? Can you pray, read, and sing with us?” said Raychynets. Part of the ecumenical chaplaincy service, Rev. Anatoliy is delivering Bibles and Easter treats to the Ukrainian men and women defending their country on the frontlines of the war. Photo: Courtesy of Anatoliy Raychynets On 24 April, he received the news that Russian strikes killed at least nine people and injured 70 others in an overnight attack on Kyiv.  “Early this morning I got a message from Kyiv that the strike was close to my apartment, where I live with my family,” he said. “And here on the frontlines, it’s nonstop Russian attacks.” Raychynets asks for prayers that he and the other chaplains remain strong enough to share a message of hope with people who desperately want to hear it.  “When Jesus had been praying, he took with him three other disciples to pray together because he knew what kind of pain and torture he needed to go through—and how horrible is crucifixion. Jesus asked someone to be with him and support him in his prayers,” said Raychynets. “I ask my brother and sister soldiers here: did God save Jesus from pain? Did God save Jesus from torture? Nope.” But God did send angels to support Jesus, Raychynets pointed out. “In Ukraine, we read in the Bible about the angels who served Jesus,” he said. “What we are experiencing right now, is, just as Jesus in Gethsemane had angels come to give him strength, that we would have the world with us, praying with us, and giving us strength in Ukraine.”  Raychynets has been preaching this week on the idea that God is with us, through angels, serving us, helping us, caring for us. “It gives us so much courage,” he said. “We are in danger. We need to jump out of cars and hide ourselves in the forest, hide ourselves in the forest for an hour because drones are targeting cars.” Yet, he added, he sees God’s protection and sees God’s miracles every day.  “Ukraine is still Ukraine,” he said. “What we experience is that, God is with us.” He speaks to soldiers about going through a dark time. “I tell soldiers that, when Jesus died, the darkness came, and we experience in Ukraine a very dark time,” he said. “But Easter is about Sunday morning, when light has been shining from the tomb.” Many in Ukraine have mixed feelings of despair and hope, anger and a yearning for peace and justice right now, concluded Raychynets. “Yet we have joy in our hearts that the Sunday morning resurrection will come,” he said. “We pray here, all who believe in God and Jesus as a savior. And the people who pray for us and with us—you are angels sent from God.”  Learn more Fr Vasyl Lutsyshyn, Mitred Archpriest of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and vice president of the Ukrainian Bible Society, and Rev. Anatoliy Raychynets praying with soldiers on the frontlines. Photo: Courtesy of Anatoliy Raychynets 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 352 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

WCC NEWS: Ukrainian Council of Churches calls for day of national fasting and prayer

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations is inviting all believers of all denominations to unite in fasting and prayer on 24 February—a day marking one year since the start of the war in Ukraine. Kyiv, Ukraine, August 2022. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 22 February 2023 “Millions of believers pray for an end to the war every day…” notes the message which also reflects that, as the war rages on, more civilians and soldiers are dying every day.” The Ukrainian Council of Churches is calling on all denominations of Ukraine to declare and hold a national fast and prayer in their religious communities with round-the-clock prayer vigils, and active performance of works of charity. “The Almighty and loving God will always answer the fervent prayer of believers,” concludes the text. Call for national fasting and prayer on February 24 for victory and peace in Ukraine - Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations 500 churches and religious sites destroyed in Ukraine during the war (WCC news release, 22 February 2023) 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 352 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 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland