As tensions continue to rise over 4,600 miles away in Ukraine, one church in Watervliet is praying for peace and safety.

“When you pray for peace, it doesn’t matter what denomination you are,” Capital District Chapter Ukrainian Congress committee president Dr. Andrij Batam said. “All of us who believe want peace.”

What You Need To Know

  • There were five churches present at the sermon

  • One Ukraine church joined the service over Zoom

  • Money was collected for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine

At the St. Nicholas Church on Sunday, a group of more than 100 people gathered to pray for Ukraine. To show their solidarity for the nation, the group connected via Zoom with a church in Ukraine in a joint sermon.

“Peace is what we all want, it doesn’t matter who you are,” Batam said. “If you’re Ukrainian, if you’re Russian, you want peace. Why war? Why kill?”

There were five churches in total at the event, with a number of speakers coming forward to talk about the crisis in the region.

“We are truly with you,” Father Deacon Thomas Gutch said. “Our prayers, our thoughts. Know that you’re not alone on this. There are people throughout the world that are with you as well.”

Many members at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have relatives who live in Ukraine, so this issue hits close to home for them.

Most of Viktor Holovashchemko’s family still resides in the country, and he prays that the growing crisis doesn’t lead to a war.

“Russsian people, would always call us their brothers, and we don’t see that,” Holovashchemko said. “We have not seen that for many, many years. But we are still neighboring countries and we don’t want to see war. We are peaceful people and we would like to go on with our lives.”

Holovashchemko says it’s reassuring to know his church and his community are supporting his family and many others in Ukraine.

“This prayer today is a huge weapon of good against the evil,” Holovashchemko said. “It’s not the army, it’s not the weapon that’s important. It’s the prayer and faith.”