Chicago's Ukrainian community holds prayer vigil marking 3 years since Russian invasion
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Multiple religious leaders, Chicago's Ukrainian community and supporters gathered on Monday night to mark an anniversary to a war they are praying will end.
Holy Name Cathedral hosted an interfaith service together with the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy.
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The prayer service featured special Ukrainian memorial prayers and performances in addition to prayers led by different religious community leaders.
The national anthem of Ukraine was heard through a harmony of hundreds inside Holy Name Cathedral.
"Our hearts are heavy as we mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine," said Cardinal Blase Cupich.
Luba Tsitulska was tears over the terror she says has taken over her homeland over the past three years.
"I see every day how Russia kills Ukrainian people, especially children," Tsitulska said.
Chicago religious leaders are calling for the same unity that brought all of them together on Monday night, to bring an end to this war and to shed light on the realities now facing a community desperate for diplomacy.
"Today we stand with God, we ask solutions from Him, we ask for advice from Him," said Bishop Venedykt Alexisychuk.
The anniversary comes as Russia has launched its heaviest drone attack since the full-scale war began on February 24, 2022.
"Unfortunately there are powerful voices attempting to change the narrative and rewrite history. The world must stand with Ukraine and tell the truth," Cupich said.
So far, thousands have been killed since Russia launched an invasion on Ukraine three years ago. This occasion is a solemn one as negotiations over peace talks continue.
Those talks and the war abroad are being closely watched by the thousands of Ukrainian-Americans in Chicago.
"It breaks my heart, it's horrible that this is still happening, that people are dying every day," said Chicago-based MedGlobal Dr. Olga Maihutiak.
Maihutiak is currently in Ukraine working on humanitarian efforts with MedGlobal. The organization educates Ukrainian doctors and nurses and operates mobile clinics on the front lines. Maihutiak says as the war has taken a big toll on Ukraine's healthcare system.
"We're seeing all of the attacks Russia has made 1,940 attacks on healthcare system, on hospitals, on maternity centers, on ambulances and health care workers," Maihutiak said.
Northwestern University Medicine's Dr. Vitaily Poylin has gone back to his home country a few times since the war began to help with surgeries.
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"They have a military medical system, but it's technically supposed to take care of everybody who is in military. But they are overwhelmed," Poylin said.
Both doctors say Ukrainian residents are physically and mentally exhausted from war and want it to end soon, but they are fearful.
"Since I came there the first question is, what do you think is going to happen, you know, with the new elected president," Maihutiak said.
President Donald Trump's radical shift in policy has rattled Ukrainians. But Poylin believes people are ready for the war to end as long as Ukraine is protected in the long term.
"So, I think I'm kind of feeling, from talking to them, they're willing to make some concessions. As long as they did, they don't have to worry about what's going to happen five, 10 years from now," Poylin said.
Those who attended Monday night's service say they are no longer asking, but pleading through prayer for the world and its leaders to hear their hearts and heed their hopes.
"Help us, support us and believe us," Tsitulska said.
Chicago is home to many Ukrainian-Americans and immigrants who say there has not been and will not be any rest until there is a resolution.
