Services marks the start of war in Ukraine
UKRAINIANS in
Rochdale commemorated the 2nd Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion War in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian flag was lowered to Half-mast at Rochdale Council’s offices at No. 1 Riverside to remember all the fallen.
A moving Service of Remembrance took place at the Ukrainian Catholic Church led by Father Benjamin Lysykanych (Ukrainian Catholic Church) and Deacon Volodymyr Dobrianskyj (Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church) and they were also joined by the Rev Anne Gilbert, the Vicar of Rochdale who later read ‘Prayers for Peace.’
After the Service, the
Opening Words welcoming everyone were by Olga Kurtianyk (Chair of the Rochdale Branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great
Britain). Olga mentioned that over the past two years, Russia has systematically targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure all over Ukraine.
More than 16,000 civilians, including around 530 children, have been killed and thousands have been injured.
Both Rochdale Ukrainian Women’s Choir ‘Czervony Maky’ as well as Manchester Choir ‘Slava’ performed a few songs relevant to the commemoration with poems being recited by John Dunai, Halyna Kotsaba and Valeria Tsymbal, who represent both British born and newly arrived Ukrainians.
In her closing remarks,
Olga Kurtianyk (AUGB Rochdale) said: “We are immensely grateful to the UK’S national, devolved, regional and local governments, political leaders and politicians of all parties, all spheres of UK society and each and every member of the British public for their steadfast support for Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians over the past 24 months.”