A SERVICE for Peace in Ukraine was held in Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley on Saturday, February 25.

The service was to help everyone find a few moments of peace at the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine which started on February 24th 2022. The service was taken by the Rev Roberta Topham, Methodist Minister of Christchurch, and Father Matviychuk Bohdan, Dean of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for Great Britain.

One of the organisers Bridget Pitcairn said: "We all prayed for peace in Ukraine and for the people whose lives have been changed by the war, holding those who have suffered loss of family, loved ones, homes and livelihoods in our thoughts and prayers. The service was a true coming together of Ukraine and Yorkshire. Everyone was welcomed into Christchurch by both local Yorkshire residents and Ukrainian guests. There was a union of religion, culture, language and delicious Ukrainian cake made by the guests and served after the service. Overhead slides were prepared in both Ukrainian and in English to translate the prayers that were being said so that everyone could understand. Ukrainian guests Anna Tsurkan who is staying in Otley and Larisa Karol who is staying in Ilkley, helped Ukrainian children from the Ilkley area and Otley say poems which reflected their love of Ukraine, described their beautiful country, and helped them express their emotion at this time.

"One of the children Yaroslav said words from a poem titled ‘How you love Ukraine’ by O Lupiy: ‘My little friend, I love you so much, ….. With Ukraine I am not afraid’. Another poem by Natalia Zarichna was said by Eva Karol ‘I hold in my hand coloured pencils, I want to draw the Crimean Mountains and the Carpathians… All this is our Ukraine, Our wonderful native land’. Nazar Vasylets and Kamila Bespalova sang a song called ‘Hear The Anthem’, describing the changes in Ukraine over the past year ‘Thunder can be heard in the clear sky, there is a whistle in the sky, but the anthem is heard….’.

"Everyone stood for the National Anthem of Ukraine, with singing led by Anna Tsurkan, Anna Anistratenko, and the children. Viktoria Dubovchuk who is now in year 8 at Ilkley Grammar School played the piano before and after the service. The service was closed with The Blessing sung by Anna Anistratenko. The words of the song helped us all find a moment of peace: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you…… and give you peace’.

"About 120 people came to the service, Ukrainian guests, hosts, and those who have helped Ilkley welcome the guests to start a new life, safe from the war. Ilkley Town Mayor Mark Stidworthy and MP for Keighley and Ilkley Robbie Moore were also welcomed and thanked for their help supporting the guests. Also thanked were the many organisations that have supported the guests in the area, including All Saints Church, Ilkley Town Council, Rotary, Ilkley Hub, and Martin Gaskin of the Otley Community."

MP Robbie Moore said: “It was extremely moving to attend the service for peace in Ukraine at Christchurch to mark one year since Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.

"As part of the service, we heard the Ukrainian anthem sung with immense pride and passion, as well as readings from Ukrainian children who have made our community their home.

"I thank everyone involved in organising this incredibly moving event. Our community will always stand together with the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.”