Events in the area marking one year of war in Ukraine

This Friday marks exactly one year since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, inciting the largest conflict in Europe since World War II.

President Joe Biden visited Kyiv this week and delivered an address in neighboring Poland Tuesday, reiterating the United States’ unwavering support for Ukrainians. The United States and other Western allies have sent billions of dollars in direct military aid to Ukraine.

Nearly 365 days into the war, the country has seen mass destruction, civilian casualties, and millions of refugees — some of whom have built a life in Connecticut over the past year, uncertain when they can return to Ukraine.

Many churches, community organizations and schools are hosting events over the next month to recognize the one-year anniversary of the conflict.

Pray for Ukraine, New Britain St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, New Britain; Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

The church will host a Moleben, a prayer service, for Ukrainians on the oneyear anniversary of the war.

Hearts for Ukraine, Hartford Ukrainian National Home, Hartford; Feb. 24 from 3 to 9 p.m.

A candlelight vigil will take place at 4 p.m. to honor the Ukrainian soldiers and civilians hurt by the war.

The event will also exhibit the work of Dasha Tenditna, a portrait photographer from Kyiv.

Vigil of One Year Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Bloomfield Bloomfield Congregational Church, Bloomfield; Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

The vigil will be available to the public in person or via live stream.

Ukraine House at Yale: ‘One Year of Ukraine’s Defense,’ New Haven Yale University, New Haven; Feb. 24 at noon

The guest speakers are Timothy Snyder, a Yale history professor specializing in modern history of Central and Eastern Europe, and Konstantin

Usov, the deputy mayor of Kyiv.

‘How the Ukrainian Displacement Crisis Shapes European & American Policy,’ Hamden Quinnipiac University, Hamden; Feb. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Ambassadors from Romania, Hungary and Poland will speak at QU conference recognizing one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Senator Richard Blumenthal will deliver the opening remarks before panelists discuss news from the war’s frontlines, refugee displacement, the economic cost of the refugee crisis and Connecticut’s efforts to help.

Stand with Ukraine: One Year Later, Mystic John Kelley statue, Mystic: Feb. 25 from 1 to 2 p.m.

Patrice Granatosky, former mayor of Groton, and Teresa and Peter Roper are hosting a memorial service in downtown Mystic to mark one year since the invasion.

Climb Ev’ry Mountain: A benefit concert for Operation Renew Prosthetics, New London St. James Episcopal Church, New London: March 12 at 3 p.m.

Singer Elisabeth Von Trapp, granddaughter of the couple that inspired the “The Sound of Music,” and guitarist Peppino D’Agostino will perform with members of The Anglican Singers and St. James and St. Ann’s choirs. Proceeds from the concert will go towards Operation Renew Prosthetics, a program run by Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics (MCOP) in Maryland that provides artificial limbs to Ukrainian soldier amputees. Bill Endicott, ORP’s co-founder, will speak at the event.

‘Instruments of Peace’ choir festival concert, Meriden St. Rose Church, Meriden: March 19 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The Waterbury Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is hosting a charity benefit concert for Catholic Relief Services, which provides support to Ukraine. The Avon High School Chorus and a choir of 80 adult singers from central Connecticut will perform.