Caption: Father Bohdan Barytskyy celebrates Mass at Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic parish in St. Petersburg. Courtesy photo.

February 15, 2022 | Local Catholic Ukrainian families are uniting to pray for peace as their homeland faces tensions with Russia. They are members of Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic parish in St. Petersburg. The Ukrainian Catholic Church is one of 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in union with the Roman Pontiff.

“Our weapon is prayer, especially for a Christian. We have printed prayers for Ukraine in every pew, which we pray every Sunday, along with the Rosary. Also, during the Liturgy we pray for peace in Ukraine, for soldiers, the wounded, prisoners, and refugees,” said parish pastor, Father Bohdan Barytskyy.

Over 150 Ukrainian families are part of the parish community and most have family members currently living in Ukraine.

“All of our relatives live in Ukraine. Our mothers, siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews. My family and I, and other parishioners are worried about our homeland,” said Father Barytskyy.

“Every day, especially now, when Russian troops are training near the border with Ukraine, we expect the worst-case scenario. We go to bed thinking about Ukraine and get up thinking about it,” he added.

In January, Pope Francis called for an International Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine. The Holy Father has made several appeals for peace and following the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, February 13, he led the faithful in silent prayer.

“The news coming out of Ukraine is very worrying. I entrust to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, and to the conscience of political leaders, every effort on behalf of peace. Let us pray in silence,” said the Pope.

Father Barytskyy welcomes the Holy Father’s initiative.

“Pope Francis has a special relationship with Ukrainians, helping build seminaries as a student, and later, as a priest and bishop working very closely with our faithful in Argentina in Buenos Aires,” he said.

During these challenging times, parishioners continue to support those back in their homeland. The parish often raises money in support of wounded soldiers and their families, orphanages, and hospitals in Ukraine. All the while, they are praying for peace.

“We pray for peace in the Liturgy, and true peace, like everything else, comes from God,” said Father Barytskyy.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is blessed to have another Ukrainian church within our geographical boundaries: St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brooksville.

Prayer from Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church

Dear Lord! Hear our prayers and forgive our trespasses.

We pray to You for peace and tranquility, for our country;

help our veterans; protect the poor and suffering;

Dry the tears of the widows and orphans; give eternal peace to the dead.

Lord, rid our country from hunger, war, invasion by our enemies and secession.

Unite us into one Christian family so that we may glorify your name,

always now and forever, Amen.