Day of Freedom and Dignity: Ukraine prays today for the Heavenly Hundred Heroes

Today, President Petro Poroshenko together with his wife Maryna Poroshenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Hroisman and Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament Andriy Parubiy took part in a ceremony to commemorate the Heroes of Heavenly Hundred.

The lampads were put onto the Cross in the place of the death of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes – 106 Ukrainians who sacrificed their lives for dignity and freedom. 2,000 patriots more were injured.

Today in churches across Ukraine the prayers are being raised for the new heroes of Ukraine. On November 21, 2013, the first protests of Ukrainians burst out in Kyiv in response to the decision by the then authorities to end the course towards European integration and to cancel the process of preparation for the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.

The events evolved rapidly and dramatically - from the peaceful gatherings of students – to mass rallies, burning of tires, Molotov cocktails and cobblestones that became weapon in the hands of protesters. But the most tragic thing was that this time blood was shed, while during the events of the Orange Revolution it hadn't been.