On Sunday, April 28, on the occasion of the Day of the City of Lviv, a joint prayer for the city, the Defenders of Ukraine, a just peace and victory was held in the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul of the UGCC.
At the beginning of the prayer, Father Taras Mykhalchuk, Head of the Center for Military Chaplaincy of the Lviv Archeparchy of the UGCC, rector of the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, addressed the audience. The priest emphasized the importance of this prayer initiative, especially in times of difficult trials for the Ukrainian people.
“On this special day, we sincerely welcome you to the Garrison Church. Today we are performing an interfaith prayer here to show the whole world our unity and invincibility. We are united to be a support for those who are defending their homeland on the front line today,” emphasized Father Taras Mikhalchuk.
Bishops and priests of all denominations of Lviv took part in the prayer: His Eminence Bishop Makariy Maletich, Metropolitan of Lviv of the OCU; His Eminence Bishop Dymytriy Rudyuk, Metropolitan of Lviv and Sokal of the OCU; His Eminence Bishop Volodymyr Hrutsa, Auxiliary Bishop of the Lviv Archeparchy of the UGCC; Fr. Karapet Garibyan, spiritual pastor of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Armenian Apostolic Church; Volodymyr Yakymiv, bishop of the Evangelical Christians; Viktor Haiduchok, deputy senior presbyter in the Lviv region of the Evangelical Baptists.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi addressed the participants of the joint prayer with a welcoming speech.
“Your Eminence, Reverend Bishops, reverend fathers, Mr. Acting Head of the Lviv Regional Council, Lviv residents! At the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, we agreed that we would organize the celebration of the City Day when we won. However, every year we remember the patrons of our city and its founders. We remember St. Yurii, the Warrior who tirelessly destroys the enemy. St. George truly represents our entire army. 30 thousand residents of our city – Lviv residents – are fighting on the front line. That is why it is so important that today prayer protects and defends us. I am grateful to the clergy that, despite various circumstances, we are constantly in prayer. The unity of our people is the foundation on which we stand, which will ensure our victory,” said the mayor of Lviv.
In conclusion, all those present prayed “God is Great, One”.