Ukraine: One Year on

A service of Reflection, Prayer and Music was held at St Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich on 24th February 2023 to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The service was led by the vicar of the church, the Revd. Canon Edward Carter. Artwork by Ukrainian artists was on display for all to enjoy.

The service was organised by the Ukrainian Community in Norwich, assisted by Norwich Blackfriars Rotary Club. It was attended by the Lord Mayor of Norwich, the Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk and a full congregation of Ukrainians living in and around Norwich. They were joined by representatives from local Rotary Clubs, including Watton, who have offered humanitarian support to refugees from Ukraine during the past year.

There were musical offerings from Ukrainian children, followed by Ukrainian opera singers Tatiana Belousova and Natalia Stepanova.

Personal stories were shared by a number of Ukrainian refugees now resident in the Norwich area, including Kseniia (Okansa) Hrytsenko from Luhansk and Tetyana (Tanya) Antoschenko from Kherson region. The congregation also heard personal stories from David Nunn, who hosted a refugee family in Norwich, and from Diorota Darnell, Director of Norfolk Polonia CIC, who have done much work in assisting refugees from Ukraine.

There was a reflective Moment with Blessing, when a Candle of Hope was lit by a Ukrainian mum Vira (which means Faith) and her young son Matviy. The service concluded with the Lords prayer simultaneously recited in English and Ukrainian, and a final song - Stand By Me, accompanied by the congregation