An interfaith event dedicated to prayer for peace in Ukraine took place in Sofia Square in Kyiv where representatives of various faiths from Ukraine and an international organization from Italy took part.
This was reported by the Institute of Religious Freedom.
The event was attended by a delegation of the European Movement of Nonviolent Action from Italy, representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, the Apostolic Nunciature in Ukraine, and other non-governmental organizations. Hundreds of people from various Italian cities also joined the participants via video conference.
Representatives of various faiths prayed for victory and just peace in Ukraine, the release of prisoners of war and civilians from captivity. At the end, the participants created a symbolic “live chain” between Ukraine and Europe. This is already the second visit of the Italian delegation to Ukraine made with this purpose.
The interfaith prayer was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine Visvaldas Kulbokas, representatives of the MEAN movement (Italy), Bishop Yefrem (Homyak) of Vasylkiv with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Bishop Oleksandr Yazlovetskyi of the Roman Catholic Church, head of the Ukrainian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Markos Hovhanesyan, First Deputy Senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith Vitaly Yatsyuk, Fr. Vitaly Hrabatyn (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) and representatives of the Ukrainian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine, and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Crimea. The abbot of the Montecassino monastery, Cardinal Eduardo Minichielli, the abbot of Montevergine and other representatives of the MEAN movement took part in the prayer via video conference.
The purpose of the event was to emphasize the unity of the Ukrainian and European peoples in supporting Ukraine and condemning Russian aggression. The participants underlined the importance of standing together in the times of difficult trials.