For the first time in South West England, representatives from the Orthodox, Anglican, and Catholic churches in the city of Exeter joined together in an ecumenical event to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day. This joint action took place as a mark of support and unity.
Dr. Serhii Shumylo, a theologian, shared this event on his Facebook page.
He noted that a prayer service was held on the central city square to commemorate all those who lost their lives during Russia's war against Ukraine. Their memory was honored with a moment of silence.
As part of the Independence Day observance, Father Brandon Gallagher from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Father Anil Gundabatina from the Roman Catholic Church led prayers for Ukraine. They recited prayers in English. Dr. Shumylo read a prayer in Ukrainian. The church choir (18 members) from St. David's Anglican Church in Exeter, conducted by choir director and composer Nigel Walsh, performed the Ukrainian spiritual anthem "Bozhe Velyky Yedynyy, Nam Ukrayinu Khrany" in English.
The choir, along with representatives from St. David's Anglican Church, were joined by singers from the local Methodist church, United Reformed Church, other Anglican parish churches, the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), and other vocalists.
Among the Ukrainian refugees in Exeter are individuals from both the Orthodox and Greek Catholic traditions, many of whom are residing with Anglican families who have welcomed them. This inspired the idea of expressing a symbolic act of Christian unity on Ukraine's Independence Day.
"It was deeply moving to hear an English Anglican priest and an Indian Catholic priest take turns reading prayers for Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, the soldiers, and all who perished due to Russian aggression... The church choir of St. David's Anglican Church, together with singers from other Protestant churches in Exeter, performed the Ukrainian spiritual anthem in English," Shumylo emphasized.
The event also paid tribute to recent tragedies in Chernihiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Serhii Shumylo, one of the organizers, extended sincere gratitude to the clergy and representatives of Christian communities in Exeter who participated in the joint event to express solidarity with Ukraine. "Your involvement in the Independence Day event, your prayers, and songs inspire all of us. You set an example of true Christian faith, love, compassion, and solidarity. This is an important testimony of faith and unity, transcending national and denominational boundaries. It's a significant display of support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people from the English community," he stated.
During the event, Father Brandon Gallagher from the Constantinople Patriarchate and University of Exeter professor was awarded the "Cross of Freedom" medal for his contribution to exposing the criminal ideology of the "Russian world."
The event was organized by the Devon Ukrainian Association, the International Institute of Athonite Heritage, and the branch of the Institute of Ukrainian Studies under the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in Exeter.
By Mykola Lesiv for The Gaze.