WCC News: World unites in prayer for Ukraine

The Global Prayer for Ukraine, which took place on Ukraine’s Independence Day on 24 August, united more than 500 churches and communities from 44 countries in prayer and solidarity with people of Ukraine standing up against the war of aggression. Ecumenical Prayer for Ukraine held at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine on the occasion of Independence Day with participation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska and leaders of churches and religious organizations in Ukaine, 24 August 2025. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine 29 August 2025 Numerous churches from Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Australia, as well as Ukrainian diaspora communities worldwide took part in the prayer initiative. Organizers of the prayer reported that, through registration on their website alone, more than 500 churches from 44 countries joined the 24-hour prayer chain, with the actual number of participants even higher.  Besides the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which represents over 95% of religious communities in Ukraine, the prayer initiative for Ukraine was endorsed by Pope Leo XIV of the Roman Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches, the Baptist World Alliance, and numerous other church communities, reaching millions of Christians worldwide. On 24 August in Ukraine, Christians from different church traditions—Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Roman Catholics, Protestants—united in common prayer in Ukraine’s city squares, parks, churches, and in the open air. In Kyiv, an interdenominational prayer took place with all the heads of the Ukrainian churches together with president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Prayers were also held in many churches throughout the country. “The Global Prayer for Ukraine is not just a one-time event, but a spiritual bridge that unites millions of believers across the globe,” said Vitaliy Orlov, coordinator of the Global Prayer for Ukraine. “For us, this initiative is a sign of God’s support and a powerful testimony of the solidarity of Christ’s church, united in faith and in love for Ukraine.” Organizers asked churches around the world to continue praying for the swift arrival of a just peace in Ukraine. The prayer asks for the protection of civilians from Russian bombardments, the return of 20,000 Ukrainian children from Russian captivity, for congregations whose church buildings are destroyed and whose clergy are being persecuted or killed, and for the rebuilding of the country and healing of all who have suffered from the war. The Global Prayer for Ukraine also provides daily updated prayer points through two messaging channels, where church leaders can subscribe, on WhatsApp and Telegram platforms. Churches invited to join global prayer chain for Ukraine and the end of the war (WCC news release, 21 August 2025) WCC calls for stop to attacks on Ukraine, urges dialogue not violence (WCC news release, 28 August 2025) Learn more about the Global Prayer for Ukraine 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: 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