An interfaith prayer service titled "Children Praying for Children" took place at the Washington National Cathedral, dedicated to Ukrainian children whose lives have been altered by the Russian war. The event brought together members of the Ukrainian and American communities, clergy, diplomats, and children from Ukraine.
This was reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States and Ukraine House.
The prayer service was held at the Washington National Cathedral. The event united representatives of various Christian denominations in a joint prayer for children—those abducted by Russia, those who have died or been wounded, and all others affected by the full-scale invasion.
The service was led by the Dean of the Washington National Cathedral, Randolph Marshall Hollerith. Also participating in the prayers were Archpriest Robert Hitchens, Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, and Father Volodymyr Stelyak, Dean of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Washington.
In his remarks, Denys Senik, Chargé d'Affaires of Ukraine to the United States, spoke of the Ukrainian children whose childhoods have been shattered by Russian aggression. He noted that they are forced to hide from air raid sirens and explosions, spending hours in shelters instead of sleeping peacefully in their own beds. He also mentioned the thousands of children who have been illegally taken out of Ukraine.
"Our hope is simple: that every child may return home, laugh again, wake up to a quiet morning, and enjoy the childhood that every child deserves," said the Chargé d'Affaires.
A special part of the event was dedicated to the memory of 15-year-olds Yana Peshkova and Mariia Mozhova, who were killed in a Russian strike on Chernihiv on October 29. The girls were students at Chernihiv Lyceum No. 1. Yana practiced rhythmic gymnastics, while Mariia was a dancer. The attack also left 23 people wounded, including an infant.
In her remarks, Oksana Markarova emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of the children who have died, noting that speaking their names is, in itself, a form of prayer.
Children from Ukrainian military families—visiting the United States for the first time as part of an initiative by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha—joined in the collective prayer. Students from the Ukrainian School in Washington also took part in the service, praying for their peers in Ukraine.
Natalia Pavlenko, President of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, noted that her organization launched the "Children Praying for Children" initiative in 2024. Since then, it has spread among Ukrainian communities across various U.S. states. The event was attended by Denys Senik, Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine to the USA; Oksana Markarova, Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Reconstruction and Investments; Natalia Pavlenko, President of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America; as well as members of the diplomatic corps, the Ukrainian community, and American friends of Ukraine. Among the guests was Riley Barnes, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, who attended with his children.
The prayer service took place on the eve of All Saints' Day and served as a joint spiritual initiative by Ukrainian churches and the Washington National Cathedral to support children affected by the war.
Photo: the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States and Ukraine House
Author: Danylo Pievchev