Kyiv maintains a tradition of monthly ecumenical prayer for peace in Ukraine and worldwide. Each time the public prayers are held at the catholic St. Alexander Church, located near Maidan in Kyiv. St. Egidius' community invites everyone willing to join.
“Peace comes to people who have peace in their souls and hearts. And the main element for peace is a prayer. When we pray, God gives us peace, which is very important for our Ukraine, for people, for our priest Tikhon, whom we cannot find and for whom we are distressed. The peace is what builds up our independent Ukraine, comes from within ourselves”, said the UGCC priest, Fr. Ihor Shaban.
The uniqueness of such events is the prayer that unites all denominations. The representatives of the Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant communities usually meet there. However, this is a useful reminder that the prayer for peace is needed more than ever, especially in terms of interfaith unity.
During the prayers all the world’s conflict zones needing settlement are mentioned. This we also mentioned Fr. Tikhon, who was captured by terrorists. There is also a prayer for the late Metropolitan Volodymyr (Moscow patriarchate) and a request to send the UOC-MP a wise shepherd who will bring closer the kingdom of God on earth.
The tradition of prayers for peace continues, they are held traditionally on a monthly basis in St. Alexander Chrch on Kostyolna street in Kyiv.