Ukrainian orthodox church in London, Ont. introduces special prayer following Russian invasion

When Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February, parishioners at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in London, Ont. prayed, and continued to pray with an added service that was introduced at the start of the war. 

"Our church is responding to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia by holding more services and a prayer service for the situation in Ukraine every time we gather at church," said Luba Kaipainen who volunteers there. "An extra prayer service on top of our regular services." 

"The service is basically an extra mass for those who are suffering today because of the invasion," she said. "An extra mass. Prayers for the military, for the civilians, for the county itself, for the infrastructure — everything that is in Ukraine, we pray." 

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 25, destroying cities and some of the country's infrastructure, while killing and displacing many of its citizens. The war has been condemned by many western countries, and Canada has responded with sanctions against Russia.      

Vivian Koschmann, who helps out at the church and has been a part of the church since 1960s, explained that she has nieces, nephews and cousins in Kharkiv, Lviv, and Kyiv. Despite the war, she said that they're doing ok. 

"We're staying strong," she said. "You know, we're praying for our soldiers all the time, all the time, even at home."

"I have a candle going as long as I'm in the house and we'll pass by and cross ourself and just pray for the country, for the president and for our soldiers to hope that we will come through and we will be winners."

Eugene Leonov has been in Canada for seven years but most of his family is back in Ukraine, close to Kyiv.

"Church plays a very important role in our lives because we believe in our God and that God protects us, protects our people and Ukrainians, and it helps us to believe that we will win," said Leonov. "Ukrainians will win." 

"It really helps us to stand with Ukraine, to help us with our mental health and in our spirit. It really supports us because we can pray for Ukraine, for the people of Ukraine."

The extra service can last for as long as 30 minutes.