January 25, 2023
On Sunday, January 8th , people across the US, from New York to California, commemorated the Day of Prayer For Peace in Ukraine. Archbishop Borys Gudziak launched the Day of Prayer by posting a moving message.
Thank you to all who participated in the Day of Prayer For Peace in Ukraine. A special thanks to Karla Christian at peacelightnorthamerica.org for totally embracing this event and helping to spread the word nationwide to the Peace Light community. Our sincerest wishes are that all our prayers were heard, granting Ukrainian people peace, so that they can rebuild their shattered lives.
Glory to Ukraine! Слава Україні!
У неділю, 8 січня, жителі США від Ню Йорку до Каліфорнії, відзначали День Молитви за Мир в Україні. Архиєпископ Борис Ґудзяк розпочав День Молитви зворушливими словами.
Дякуємо всім, хто долучився до Дня Молитви за Мир в Україні. Спеціяльна подяка Карлі Крістіан з peacelightnorthamerica.org за її допомогу в поширенні інформації про цю подію. Бажаємо, щоб усі
наші молитви здійснилися, даруючи мир українському народі.
Слава Україні!
December 8, 2022
Since 1986, Scouts from the entire world have coordinated efforts to share the Bethlehem Peace Light and allow it to travel throughout not only 30 European nations including Ukraine, but also Mexico and North America. This year, perhaps more so than in any past years, the Bethlehem Peace Light holds special meaning.
On January 8th, once the Flame has been distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada, the Ukrainian Scouts invite you and your communities to gather and join us in raising our communal voices in prayer for Peace in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Peace Light Song
More details are below and on PeaceLightNorthAmerica.
We have received a few inquiries about Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine events. So here are a few suggestions:
- Incorporate the Bethlehem Peace Light into the prayer ceremony. This year, with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men and women fighting for their freedom, millions of Ukrainians displaced, thousands forcefully evacuated to Russia, and countless missing, it is so important to focus all the hopes and prayers associated with the Bethlehem Peace Light on Ukraine.
- If possible, contact your local religious leader to say a special prayer during or after mass on Sunday. This way the whole congregation can participate in this special event.
- Ask everyone to bring a candle or supply candles to be lit from the Bethlehem Peace Light. As the candles are lit, small prayers can be said aloud. For example: may the electrical grid remain intact, may no more missiles hit civilian targets, or may those on the frontlines stay warm and safe. The culminating prayer would be that the Bethlehem Peace Light illuminate Ukraine’s path towards victory to ensure its peaceful existence as a free country.
- Explain to everyone why it is especially important to raise our communal voices in prayer for Ukraine at this time:
- Ten months ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine. Since February 24th, Russia has launched over 16,000 missile attacks on Ukraine, with 97% of these missile strikes aimed at civilian targets, including infrastructure. And now, with winter fast approaching, Ukraine’s energy systems are on the brink of collapse, with 50% of the country’s thermal and hydro-electric plants destroyed. Millions of people face potentially life-threatening living conditions without heat, electricity, and running water. And yet, despite all of this, the resolve and resistance of the Ukrainian people has not waned. But they need our support and what better way to demonstrate our spiritual solidarity than have the entire nation stop to say a prayer for the war to end and normal life in Ukraine to resume.
