On March 17, a solemn Liturgy for Peace was held at St. Ulrich's Cathedral in Augsburg, Germany, led by local Bishop Bertram Mayer, Chairman of the World Church Commission of the German Bishops' Conference, in concelebration with Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh, Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainians of the Byzantine Rite in Germany and Scandinavia. The service was attended by clergy, local authorities, community members, and numerous faithful who offered their prayers for Ukraine and a just peace in the world.
This was reported by the UGCC Department for Information.
The event took place within the framework of the initiative of the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE) called “Eucharistic Chain”, which focuses on Lent as a time of prayer for peace.
In his address to the participants of the prayer, Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh noted that exactly 3 years ago, on Ash Wednesday, 2022, the community gathered in the same church to pray for Ukraine, which became a victim of unprovoked aggression. He recalled how the tears of Ukrainian children, women, men, and the elderly were brought before the throne of the Almighty Lord, as well as the tears of all those who felt pain and empathized with the people of Ukraine.
The Apostolic Exarch emphasized that although the enemy was counting on Ukraine's prompt surrender, they did not take into account the power of prayer, unity and spirit of the Ukrainian people, as well as the enormous support of the international community. Bucha, Mariupol, Irpin, Marinka, and Borodianka - places that witnessed the most brutal crimes of the war and came to exemplify heroic resistance - became symbols of invincibility.
Expressing his gratitude, Bishop Bohdan addressed all attendees, emphasizing the deep solidarity shown by the German people, the Catholic Church in Germany, and Bishop Bertram Mayer of the Diocese of Augsburg. Bishop Bohdan thanked the latter for his fraternal support, special attention to the suffering of the Ukrainian people and visits to Ukraine in the midst of the war. He also recalled Bishop Bertram's touching words about the meeting with the families of the victims in Brovary, which pointed to the importance of the Church's mission in times of trial.
In conclusion, the UGCC bishop emphasized that war is not abstract, nor is love, support and faith in the victory of good. He expressed his firm belief that Ukraine will survive, a just peace will be restored, and humanity will not allow evil to triumph.
“We all wish for peace, both in the world and in our personal lives,” said Bishop of Augsburg, reflecting on his experience during his trip to Ukraine and calling on people to work together to achieve peace, which begins with solidarity with the victims.
“Our pursuit of peace is a service to the common good, a service to our neighbors and a service to God,” emphasized Bishop Bertram Mayer.
The “Eucharistic Chain” is a pan-European series of worship services that began on Ash Wednesday in Albania and will end on Maundy Thursday in Hungary. This Monday's Eucharistic Prayer was held in Germany. The purpose of the initiative is to commemorate the victims of wars, especially those in Ukraine and the Holy Land, and to pray for a just and lasting peace.