UKRAINE |
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast. It also borders Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; and Romania and Moldova to the southwest; with a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast. Kyiv is the nation's capital and largest city, followed by Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa. Ukraine's official language is Ukrainian; Russian is also widely spoken, especially in the east
and south. During the Middle Ages, Ukraine was the site of early Slavic expansion and the area later became a key centre of East Slavic culture under the state of Kievan Rus', which emerged in the 9th century. The state eventually disintegrated into rival regional powers and was ultimately destroyed by the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. The area was then contested, divided, and ruled by a variety of external powers for the next 600 years, including the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austrian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsardom of Russia. The Cossack Hetmanate emerged in central Ukraine in the 17th century marked on maps as "Ukraine, land of the Cossacks", but was partitioned between Russia and Poland, and ultimately absorbed by the Russian Empire. Ukrainian nationalism developed and, following the Russian Revolution in 1917, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic was formed. The Bolsheviks consolidated control
over much of the former empire and established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union when it was formed in 1922. In the early 1930s, millions of Ukrainians died in the Holodomor, a human-made famine. The German occupation during World War II in Ukraine was devastating, with 7 million Ukrainian civilians killed, including most Ukrainian Jews.
Ukraine gained independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union dissolved, and declared itself neutral. new
constitution was adopted in 1996. A series of mass demonstrations, known as the Euromaidan, led to the establishment of a new government in 2014 after a revolution. Russia the unilaterally annexed Ukraine's
Crimean Peninsula, and pro-Russian unrest culminated in a war in the Donbas between Russian-backed separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since the outbreak of war with Russia, Ukraine has continued to seek closer ties with the United States, European Union, and NATO. Anglican leaders worldwide have condemned the war in Ukraine and called for an "immediate" ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops. The call came at the end of the Primates' Meeting held in the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in London and attended by leaders from across the Anglican Communion.
and south. During the Middle Ages, Ukraine was the site of early Slavic expansion and the area later became a key centre of East Slavic culture under the state of Kievan Rus', which emerged in the 9th century. The state eventually disintegrated into rival regional powers and was ultimately destroyed by the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. The area was then contested, divided, and ruled by a variety of external powers for the next 600 years, including the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austrian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsardom of Russia. The Cossack Hetmanate emerged in central Ukraine in the 17th century marked on maps as "Ukraine, land of the Cossacks", but was partitioned between Russia and Poland, and ultimately absorbed by the Russian Empire. Ukrainian nationalism developed and, following the Russian Revolution in 1917, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic was formed. The Bolsheviks consolidated control
over much of the former empire and established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union when it was formed in 1922. In the early 1930s, millions of Ukrainians died in the Holodomor, a human-made famine. The German occupation during World War II in Ukraine was devastating, with 7 million Ukrainian civilians killed, including most Ukrainian Jews.
Ukraine gained independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union dissolved, and declared itself neutral. new
constitution was adopted in 1996. A series of mass demonstrations, known as the Euromaidan, led to the establishment of a new government in 2014 after a revolution. Russia the unilaterally annexed Ukraine's
Crimean Peninsula, and pro-Russian unrest culminated in a war in the Donbas between Russian-backed separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since the outbreak of war with Russia, Ukraine has continued to seek closer ties with the United States, European Union, and NATO. Anglican leaders worldwide have condemned the war in Ukraine and called for an "immediate" ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops. The call came at the end of the Primates' Meeting held in the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in London and attended by leaders from across the Anglican Communion.
Ukrainian War and the Churches
What is the Ukrainian War’s impact upon the church? Today the Institute on Religion & Democracy hosted Ukrainian Pastors Igor Bandura and Mark Sergeyev to speak at a luncheon held at our offices in Washington. Bandura, a Ukrainian Baptist pastor, and Sergeyev, a Ukrainian chaplain, are visiting Washington on behalf of Defenders of Faith and Religious Freedom in the Ukraine. The organization exists to defend the right to peacefully practice Christianity in one’s chosen house of worship and to advocate for the defense of religious freedom from Russian aggression in Ukraine. Video of the event is was live-streamed on IRD’s Facebook page (Juicy Ecumenism 5/28/24) READ MORE>>>>>
What is the Ukrainian War’s impact upon the church? Today the Institute on Religion & Democracy hosted Ukrainian Pastors Igor Bandura and Mark Sergeyev to speak at a luncheon held at our offices in Washington. Bandura, a Ukrainian Baptist pastor, and Sergeyev, a Ukrainian chaplain, are visiting Washington on behalf of Defenders of Faith and Religious Freedom in the Ukraine. The organization exists to defend the right to peacefully practice Christianity in one’s chosen house of worship and to advocate for the defense of religious freedom from Russian aggression in Ukraine. Video of the event is was live-streamed on IRD’s Facebook page (Juicy Ecumenism 5/28/24) READ MORE>>>>>
FIRST-PERSON: ‘God is working’ in Ukraine
In times of great need or despair, we’ve seen firsthand what the world’s greatest problem is, and it’s not war or hunger. It’s spiritual lostness. I recently watched people line up outside a church as air raid sirens sounded in Ukraine. The church was not a bomb shelter. They weren’t distributing food. It wasn’t even a Sunday. People stood in line, awaiting their turn so they could hear about the hope of Jesus Christ! Church planting amid war looks physically different from peacetime:
In times of great need or despair, we’ve seen firsthand what the world’s greatest problem is, and it’s not war or hunger. It’s spiritual lostness. I recently watched people line up outside a church as air raid sirens sounded in Ukraine. The church was not a bomb shelter. They weren’t distributing food. It wasn’t even a Sunday. People stood in line, awaiting their turn so they could hear about the hope of Jesus Christ! Church planting amid war looks physically different from peacetime:
- Mattresses piled in the hallway of an apartment building where a pastor offers comfort in the middle of an attack.
- Pews pushed up against the church walls to make room for people whose homes were destroyed.
- A bullet-riddled car loaded with supplies driving through occupied territory.
- A pastor searching for a place to baptize 10 people.
Orthodox Church Row Threatens US Aid to Ukraine
WASHINGTON — Pending legislation in Ukraine aimed at preventing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from becoming a conduit for Russian influence is attracting attention in the United States and is being used by some U.S. conservatives to paint Ukraine as hostile to religious freedom. Ukrainian authorities insist the proposed law would not limit the activities of the church, which many believe maintains a relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church and has seen its membership plummet since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
(Tatiana Vorozhko/VOA 11/18/23) Read More>>>>>
WASHINGTON — Pending legislation in Ukraine aimed at preventing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from becoming a conduit for Russian influence is attracting attention in the United States and is being used by some U.S. conservatives to paint Ukraine as hostile to religious freedom. Ukrainian authorities insist the proposed law would not limit the activities of the church, which many believe maintains a relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church and has seen its membership plummet since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
(Tatiana Vorozhko/VOA 11/18/23) Read More>>>>>
Tucker Carlson is Wrong: Putin Practices Religious Persecution, Not Zelensky
Tucker Carlson recently claimed that Zelensky has “banned the Christian faith in his country and arrested nuns and priests.” Though purporting to speak on behalf of religious liberty, in reality Carlson is playing fast and loose with the truth and endangering the lives of Ukrainian believers. The Moscow-backed clergy being arrested in Ukraine are not neutral, but actively working for the Kremlin, some contributing directly to the deaths of hundreds of Ukrainian women and children. These arrests are not merely a whim of President Zelensky either: Eighty-five percent of Ukrainians polled favor the government taking action against these representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church who are causing mayhem in Ukraine—66 percent of Ukrainians want the Russian Orthodox Church banned completely in Ukraine. (Steven Moore/Tim Chapman/Providence 10/20/23) Read More>>>>>
Tucker Carlson recently claimed that Zelensky has “banned the Christian faith in his country and arrested nuns and priests.” Though purporting to speak on behalf of religious liberty, in reality Carlson is playing fast and loose with the truth and endangering the lives of Ukrainian believers. The Moscow-backed clergy being arrested in Ukraine are not neutral, but actively working for the Kremlin, some contributing directly to the deaths of hundreds of Ukrainian women and children. These arrests are not merely a whim of President Zelensky either: Eighty-five percent of Ukrainians polled favor the government taking action against these representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church who are causing mayhem in Ukraine—66 percent of Ukrainians want the Russian Orthodox Church banned completely in Ukraine. (Steven Moore/Tim Chapman/Providence 10/20/23) Read More>>>>>
On The Front Lines: In War-Torn Kherson, Church Is A Symbol Of Hope And Resilience
KHERSON, Ukraine — “We didn’t plan to live like this, but after waking up to the war, we started evacuating people from our city. The volunteer work continues since then,” says Stanislav Syniy, while driving a van to his native Kherson in the south of Ukraine. Since 2022, the city has lived through almost nine months of Russian occupation and now is being regularly shelled by its troops. Once a lovely port city on the Black Sea, Kherson is now a battleground in the war. (Natalia Shevchenko/Religion Unplugged 3/24/23)
Read More>>>>>
KHERSON, Ukraine — “We didn’t plan to live like this, but after waking up to the war, we started evacuating people from our city. The volunteer work continues since then,” says Stanislav Syniy, while driving a van to his native Kherson in the south of Ukraine. Since 2022, the city has lived through almost nine months of Russian occupation and now is being regularly shelled by its troops. Once a lovely port city on the Black Sea, Kherson is now a battleground in the war. (Natalia Shevchenko/Religion Unplugged 3/24/23)
Read More>>>>>
Churches pack thousands of meals for Ukrainians impacted by Russian invasion
(CHRISTIAN POST) – Four congregations based in Minnesota recently came together to pack around 100,000 meals for the needy, with half of them slated to be sent overseas to help those impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bethel Lutheran Church of Rochester hosted the meal-packing event last Saturday, with 250 volunteers packing the meals on behalf of Food for Kidz and the Channel One Regional Food Bank.
(WND 3/17/22) Read More>>>>>
(CHRISTIAN POST) – Four congregations based in Minnesota recently came together to pack around 100,000 meals for the needy, with half of them slated to be sent overseas to help those impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bethel Lutheran Church of Rochester hosted the meal-packing event last Saturday, with 250 volunteers packing the meals on behalf of Food for Kidz and the Channel One Regional Food Bank.
(WND 3/17/22) Read More>>>>>
Mar 8, 2022: Christian Post: Did the prophet Ezekiel predict Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
According to Pat Robertson, Vladimir Putin is being “compelled by God” to invade Ukraine. Indeed, “He went into the Ukraine, but that wasn’t his goal. His goal was to move against Israel, ultimately.” And, according to Robertson, this was all prophesied by Ezekiel, who lived more than 2,500 years ago. Is this true?
According to Pat Robertson, Vladimir Putin is being “compelled by God” to invade Ukraine. Indeed, “He went into the Ukraine, but that wasn’t his goal. His goal was to move against Israel, ultimately.” And, according to Robertson, this was all prophesied by Ezekiel, who lived more than 2,500 years ago. Is this true?
Mar 6, 2022: Christian Today: Churches converted into shelters to welcome Ukrainian refugees
Pews are being pushed aside in Polish churches to make room for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Pews are being pushed aside in Polish churches to make room for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Mar 4, 2022: Christianity Daily: Ukrainian Priest Wants To Exorcise Evil Spirit Influencing Putin
A Catholic Byzantinian priest, Fr. Tikhon Sergey Kulbaka, announced on Facebook last Friday that he will initiate an exorcism on Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose Ukrainian invasion he believes to be inspired by the devil.
A Catholic Byzantinian priest, Fr. Tikhon Sergey Kulbaka, announced on Facebook last Friday that he will initiate an exorcism on Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose Ukrainian invasion he believes to be inspired by the devil.
Mar 3, 2022: Tablet: Prince of Wales pledges support on visit to Ukrainian cathedral
The Prince of Wales promised support for Ukrainian refugees from his charities on a visit to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral in London.
The Prince of Wales promised support for Ukrainian refugees from his charities on a visit to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral in London.
Mar 3, 2022: Vatican News: Ukraine: “Please pray for us, that God may give us His peace!”
A Ukrainian volunteer working with the Order of Malta’s relief agency, Malteser International, in the western city of Lviv, speaks of humanitarian efforts underway to assist those who are fleeing, and asks for prayers.
A Ukrainian volunteer working with the Order of Malta’s relief agency, Malteser International, in the western city of Lviv, speaks of humanitarian efforts underway to assist those who are fleeing, and asks for prayers.
Mar 3, 2022: Word & Way: Kyiv Shrines, Memorials with Powerful Symbolic Value at Risk
Among the sites at risk in the Ukrainian capital are the nation’s most sacred Orthodox shrines, dating back nearly 1,000 years to the dawn of Christianity in the region. The sites, along with other landmark shrines in Kyiv, are religiously significant to both Ukrainian Orthodox and Russian Orthodox. They also stand as powerful symbols in the quarrel over whether the two groups are parts of a single people — as Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed — or are distinct but related Slavic nations.
Among the sites at risk in the Ukrainian capital are the nation’s most sacred Orthodox shrines, dating back nearly 1,000 years to the dawn of Christianity in the region. The sites, along with other landmark shrines in Kyiv, are religiously significant to both Ukrainian Orthodox and Russian Orthodox. They also stand as powerful symbols in the quarrel over whether the two groups are parts of a single people — as Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed — or are distinct but related Slavic nations.
Mar 3, 2022: Chicago Catholic: Ukraine: no grave is large enough to contain the spirit of freedom
President Putin is turning cities to rubble, making life unlivable, and bombing civilians to kingdom come. The sacred Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial to the 33,000 Ukrainian Jews who were summarily slaughtered by the Nazis has been obliterated. Russian saboteurs stalk the streets dressed like farmers and street traders, shooting people randomly at point blank range. People are trapped in apartment blocks without food or water, barricaded in with mattresses and sofas. Children go to school in subways, and makeshift hospitals have been set up in underground car parks. A million refugees have fled the terrors, and a million more will follow. Scores of dogs have been tied up at train stations, abandoned by their owners faced with fight-or-flight and weren't permitted to take their treasured pets onboard. "This is Ihor, very gentle, please look after him."
President Putin is turning cities to rubble, making life unlivable, and bombing civilians to kingdom come. The sacred Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial to the 33,000 Ukrainian Jews who were summarily slaughtered by the Nazis has been obliterated. Russian saboteurs stalk the streets dressed like farmers and street traders, shooting people randomly at point blank range. People are trapped in apartment blocks without food or water, barricaded in with mattresses and sofas. Children go to school in subways, and makeshift hospitals have been set up in underground car parks. A million refugees have fled the terrors, and a million more will follow. Scores of dogs have been tied up at train stations, abandoned by their owners faced with fight-or-flight and weren't permitted to take their treasured pets onboard. "This is Ihor, very gentle, please look after him."
March 2, 2023: Southern Ohio Christian Voice: Ukraine Christians Are On The Rise Amid War
Arecent survey found that the number of Christians in Ukraine increased during the war. It’s been a year since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, but in the middle of the destruction, more Ukrainians cling to Jesus Christ as a source of hope and salvation.
According to the data from the Razkumov Center, which was published in the Religious Information Service for Ukraine (RISU), 74.1% identified themselves as Christians in 2022 compared to 67.8% in 2021. At the same time, the number of non-believers and convinced atheists decreased—from 13% to 12.2%.
Arecent survey found that the number of Christians in Ukraine increased during the war. It’s been a year since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, but in the middle of the destruction, more Ukrainians cling to Jesus Christ as a source of hope and salvation.
According to the data from the Razkumov Center, which was published in the Religious Information Service for Ukraine (RISU), 74.1% identified themselves as Christians in 2022 compared to 67.8% in 2021. At the same time, the number of non-believers and convinced atheists decreased—from 13% to 12.2%.
Feb 26, 2022: Christian Post: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Christian groups Samaritan's Purse, World Help send relief to war victims
International Christian relief groups Samaritans’ Purse and World Help are standing alongside the Ukrainian Church to provide aid to victims as Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine enters into the third day Saturday with Russian troops storming toward Ukraine’s capital.
International Christian relief groups Samaritans’ Purse and World Help are standing alongside the Ukrainian Church to provide aid to victims as Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine enters into the third day Saturday with Russian troops storming toward Ukraine’s capital.
Feb 26, 2022: CBN: Calls for Prayer Grow as Thousands Flee Ukraine Following Russian Invasion
As the crisis deepens, there have been a growing number of calls for prayer for Ukraine and its people - including on social media.
As the crisis deepens, there have been a growing number of calls for prayer for Ukraine and its people - including on social media.
Feb 26, 2022: Church Leaders: Greg Laurie Addresses ‘End Time’ Significance Following Russia’s Attack on Ukraine
Harvest Christian Fellowship’s senior pastor Greg Laurie took on the question many Christians have been voicing about Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine and whether it relates to the End Times in Revelation.
“Is there any prophetic significance to what is happening in Ukraine right now and other events that are unfolding around the world?” Laurie asked. Then: “The answer is…Yes!”
Harvest Christian Fellowship’s senior pastor Greg Laurie took on the question many Christians have been voicing about Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine and whether it relates to the End Times in Revelation.
“Is there any prophetic significance to what is happening in Ukraine right now and other events that are unfolding around the world?” Laurie asked. Then: “The answer is…Yes!”
Feb 26, 2022: Charisma: Join Native Ukrainian Pastor, Russian Wife in Spirit-Filled Prayer for Their 2 Countries
Pastor Vladimir Savchuk, born in the Ukraine, immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 13. Today, he leads HungryGen Church in Pasco, Washington, and hosts the Vlad Savchuk Podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network.
He and his wife, Lana, a native of Russia, hosted a special prayer time for their two countries this week. Their local paper once referred to the couple as "a house divided," but in Jesus, they are one.
Pastor Vladimir Savchuk, born in the Ukraine, immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 13. Today, he leads HungryGen Church in Pasco, Washington, and hosts the Vlad Savchuk Podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network.
He and his wife, Lana, a native of Russia, hosted a special prayer time for their two countries this week. Their local paper once referred to the couple as "a house divided," but in Jesus, they are one.
Feb 22, 2023: World Council of Churches : Ukrainian Council of Churches calls for day of national fasting and prayer
“Millions of believers pray for an end to the war every day…” notes the message which also reflects that, as the war rages on, more civilians and soldiers are dying every day.”
The Ukrainian Council of Churches is calling on all denominations of Ukraine to declare and hold a national fast and prayer in their religious communities with round-the-clock prayer vigils, and active performance of works of charity.
“Millions of believers pray for an end to the war every day…” notes the message which also reflects that, as the war rages on, more civilians and soldiers are dying every day.”
The Ukrainian Council of Churches is calling on all denominations of Ukraine to declare and hold a national fast and prayer in their religious communities with round-the-clock prayer vigils, and active performance of works of charity.
Apr 26, 2022: Mission News Network: Russia targets infrastructure, US sends more aid to Ukraine
A string of Russian attacks targets critical infrastructure, hitting rail and fuel facilities deep inside Ukraine. Meanwhile, the United States pledges another $465 million in support to Ukraine, bringing the U.S. aid total to over $4 billion since the invasion began.
According to the United Nations, approximately 25-percent of Ukraine’s population needs humanitarian aid inside the country or in a neighboring nation.
A string of Russian attacks targets critical infrastructure, hitting rail and fuel facilities deep inside Ukraine. Meanwhile, the United States pledges another $465 million in support to Ukraine, bringing the U.S. aid total to over $4 billion since the invasion began.
According to the United Nations, approximately 25-percent of Ukraine’s population needs humanitarian aid inside the country or in a neighboring nation.
Feb 22, 2023: World Council of Churches : Ukrainian Council of Churches calls for day of national fasting and prayer
“Millions of believers pray for an end to the war every day…” notes the message which also reflects that, as the war rages on, more civilians and soldiers are dying every day.”
The Ukrainian Council of Churches is calling on all denominations of Ukraine to declare and hold a national fast and prayer in their religious communities with round-the-clock prayer vigils, and active performance of works of charity.
“Millions of believers pray for an end to the war every day…” notes the message which also reflects that, as the war rages on, more civilians and soldiers are dying every day.”
The Ukrainian Council of Churches is calling on all denominations of Ukraine to declare and hold a national fast and prayer in their religious communities with round-the-clock prayer vigils, and active performance of works of charity.
April 25, 2022: Kentucky Today:Ukrainian Baptist finds water in wasteland, reunion in time of war
Yura knew reunion was on the horizon and he found an oasis on the way.
Carrying three heavy bags, the Ukrainian man stopped at the station Romanian Baptists established and Southern Baptist Disaster Response (SBDR) and Send Relief teams are now manning near the border of Romania and Ukraine.
Yura accepted a bottle of water offered at the station, noticing the Southern Baptist Convention sign on the station and the vests and hats of the volunteers.
“I’m a Baptist too!” he exclaimed.
Yura knew reunion was on the horizon and he found an oasis on the way.
Carrying three heavy bags, the Ukrainian man stopped at the station Romanian Baptists established and Southern Baptist Disaster Response (SBDR) and Send Relief teams are now manning near the border of Romania and Ukraine.
Yura accepted a bottle of water offered at the station, noticing the Southern Baptist Convention sign on the station and the vests and hats of the volunteers.
“I’m a Baptist too!” he exclaimed.