Ukrainians on both sides of the Atlantic united in a common prayer for Ukrainian children who suffered from the war. The initiative “Children Pray for Children” was organized by the New York District of the Ukrainian Women’s League of America (UWA) together with the 21st Branch of the UWA, holding simultaneous prayer events in New York and Poltava.
This was reported by the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, New York Regional Council and UNWLA Branch 30 Yonkers, NY
The prayer for the health of Ukrainian children and the memorial service for those innocently killed by Russian aggression were held simultaneously in the two countries, as evidence of the unity of the Ukrainian community in the world and its desire to draw the attention of the international community to the problem of the deportation of Ukrainian children and the need for their return to their homeland.
In Brooklyn, the event was held at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit with the participation of the long-time rector of the church, Father Ivan Tykhovych. In Ukraine, children and parishioners of the St. Michael's Church of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Poltava joined the prayer together with Archpriest Oleksandr Goray with the blessing of Archbishop Athanasius (Shkurupia) of Kharkiv and Izyum.
The central theme of the event was the fate of Ukrainian children who suffered from the war and deportations. During the information and educational part, participants were presented with data on crimes against Ukrainian children. According to the information provided, more than 20,570 deported or forcibly displaced Ukrainian children have been officially documented. Another 2,318 children are considered missing, and only 2,182 children have been returned home.
The organizers emphasized that the return of Ukrainian children remains one of the key humanitarian challenges of the war.
In New York, a special atmosphere of the event was created by the performance of the Women's Choir of the New York County of the Ukrainian American Women's Union under the direction of Alla Rodina. The group performed, in particular, the spiritual anthem of Ukraine "God is Great, the Only One" with words by Oleksandr Konysky and music by Mykola Lysenko.
Those present also watched a video message of gratitude from the children of the Zhytomyr region for the charitable assistance provided.
In addition to the prayer part, advocacy and educational sessions were held dedicated to protecting the rights of Ukrainian children and international efforts to return them from the territory of Russia and temporarily occupied territories.
A creative master class in modeling was organized for the youngest participants, and symbolic gifts were prepared - cookies in the shape of butterflies.
Representatives of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America, including Solomiya Ushnevich, the education officer of the New York County of the Ukrainian American Women's Union, took part in the events.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to the clergy, parishioners of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Brooklyn, Father Oleksandr Goray, the children in Poltava, and all members of the New York District of the SUA for their support and organization of the event.
“We remember. We fight for everyone. We will bring every child home,” the participants of the action emphasized.
Photo: Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, New York Regional Council, UNWLA Branch 30 Yonkers
Author: Inna Mikhno