On 24 February, Liverpool commemorated the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

 

At 5:30pm, Ukrainians and local residents gathered on the steps of Saint Luke’s Bombed-Out Church to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine and raise awareness of the ongoing war. During the rally, speeches were delivered by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Richard Kemp, and Ms Lyudmyla Sergienko, event co-ordinator for the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain’s (AUGB) Liverpool branch. There were also Ukrainian songs sung.

 

At 6pm, Liverpool participated in the ‘Global Alarm’ initiative. Air-raid warning sirens were sounded across numerous cities worldwide, providing a poignant reminder of the devastation that Russia has inflicted on Ukraine, as highlighted by the Ukrainian World Congress. At 6:30pm, an interfaith vigil commenced at Liverpool Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas. The ceremony began with an opening prayer led by Canon Bill Addy and Rev Dr Taras Khomych, a Ukrainian Catholic Priest and chairman of the AUGB’s Liverpool branch, who concelebrated with Rev Michelle Montrose and Canon Sean Riley. Fr Taras expressed his gratitude to the event’s co-organisers, especially the Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell, and Canon Addy, and thanked the people of Liverpool for their continued support of Ukraine and Ukrainians.

 

This was followed by Scripture readings and a powerful speech by the Lord Mayor, who voiced his support for and solidarity with Ukraine. There were performances from the Singing Children, a Ukrainian children’s choir; from the host parish’s St Nicholas Singers; and from the ‘Ukrainian Voice’ choir. Additionally, an Eastern Christian memorial service was held for the victims of the war, followed by a symbolic ‘Commitment to Peace’, during which participants expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

 

The evening culminated in the premiere of ‘Voices of Hope and Peace’, a video opera directed by Dr John McHugh and featuring the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Svitoch Choir (a Ukrainian chamber choir) under the direction of Inna Ruzheva, and the AUGB Liverpool branch. At the very end of the event was a performance of Myroslav Skoryk’s symbolic Melody in A Minor by the organist.

 

As well as the above-mentioned Lord-Lieutenant and Lord Mayor, other distinguished attendees included Liverpool Hope University Rector and Vice-Chancellor Claire Ozanne and representatives of civil authorities, Christian churches, other religious communities, and various organisations. This event served as a powerful testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people, the strength of international solidarity, and the ongoing necessity of supporting Ukraine in its pursuit of freedom and justice.