In partnership with Washington National Cathedral, the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA held an ecumenical service dedicated to the 500th day of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on Sunday, July 9, 2023, and shared some glimpses from the event.
While sharing some updates about conducting the ecumenical service dedicated to the 500th day of the Russia-Ukraine Invasion, the Embassy was deeply honoured and proud to dedicate the 500th day of Ukraine’s bravery and willpower.
As per the Update, during this moving service, presented in English and Ukrainian, the public honoured the fallen and prayed for victory.
The Provost of the Washington National Cathedral, Jan Naylor Cope, the dean of Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Andrew, Father Volodymyr Steliac, and the administrator of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington, D.C, Father Robert Hitchens all led the service.
Ambassador Оксана Маркарова delivered a powerful speech and thanked all attendees for their continued support for Ukraine.
During the service, Lydia Chopivsky Benson, Mykhailo Savkiv and Denys Sienik read the Holy Scripture in English and Ukrainian. Father Steliac and Father Robert Hitchins delivered a
In both languages, Litany for Peace in Ukraine and a Panachyda, a prayer for the dead.
Choirs from the Washington National Cathedral, the Ukrainian Cathedral of St. Andrew, and the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington D.C. participated in the
service.
The service ended with the Ukrainian spiritual anthem, “Prayer for Ukraine”, written by Mykola Lysenko.
Hundreds of people watched and prayed for Ukraine either in person or online.
Further, while expressing their pleasure and pride, the Embassy of Ukraine felt deeply grateful to the present dignitaries, including American officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Ukrainian and American clergy, numerous Ukrainian communities and their leaders, and friends and supporters of Ukraine for their prayers, solidarity and support.
