Zelensky prays with Jews, Muslims, Catholics, OCU, and UGCC at Kyiv Sofia

State ecumenical event at Saint Sofia's Cathedral in Kyiv. Photo: OP

On February 24, 2026, the day marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an ecumenical event was held at St. Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv with the participation of the OCU, the UGCC, the Roman Catholic Church, Jews, Muslims, and Protestants. Leaders of nine European states and the leadership of the European Union arrived for the service.

The prayer was opened by the head of the OCU, Serhii Dumenko. Addressing God, he asked for victory and peace for Ukraine: “Grant us, in Your name, victory and establish a just peace. Send the formidable leader of Your heavenly host – the Archistrategos Michael – to help our courageous defenders, that they may destroy the devilish designs of the aggressor.”

Then the Roman Catholic bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi took the floor. From the UGCC, Yosyf Milian prayed. Evangelical Christians were represented by Pastor Anatolii Kozachok, who prayed for wisdom for the Ukrainian leadership: “So that every decision they make could not be calculated by the enemy, and so that all their decisions, Lord, would accomplish a powerful leap forward for the development of our country.”

The Muslim community was represented by Sheikh Ahmed Tamim: “Grant us, O God, victory over the enemy for the sake of Muhammad, Jesus, and Moses.” The Jewish community was represented by Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich, who read David’s 35th Psalm.

Present at the prayer were the prime ministers of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson; Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre; Denmark, Mette Frederiksen; Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir; Estonia, Kristen Michal; and Croatia, Andrej Plenković; the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb; the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; the president of the European Council, António Costa; as well as Lithuania’s minister of national defense, Robertas Kaunas.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the mufti prayed for peace together with Zoria, Catholics, and Protestants at St. Sofia Cathderal.

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