Before Russia’s invasion, Kyiv had a small but thriving community of Anglicans. Today, members of Christ Church, which used to meet in the German Lutheran church Kyiv’s centre, come together to pray for peace online.
“We try to keep in touch via [the messaging apps] Viber or WhatsApp,” explained church warden Christina Laschenko-Stafiychuk.
“We also try to join Zoom vigil services on Wednesday evenings held by the Diocese in Europe during Lent to pray for Ukraine.”
Since the Russian invasion which began on February 24th, the once vibrant community has been scattered across Europe.
Christina said: “My daughter and I left Kyiv on March 4th. We left on an evacuation train going towards Lviv.
“We then took a train to Chełm in Poland, then on to Warsaw, and finally to Zurich
We meet online to pray for Ukraine: Kyiv's Anglicans spread across Europe continue to meethttps://t.co/gJSkcLc5Ah@churchofengland #Kyiv pic.twitter.com/O1Khs5Miap
— Diocese in Europe (@DioceseinEurope) April 12, 2022