The government announced there will be a national minute’s silence will take place at 11am on Friday. All around the region from Friday into the weekend, a number of events will take place to commemorate one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Norfolk
Norwich Cathedral All are welcome to join us for a prayer vigil to pray for the people of Ukraine and for peace. The prayer vigil will take place at Norwich Cathedral at 5pm on Sunday 26 February, the closest Sunday to the one-year anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.
Norwich In support of the Ukrainian cause, hundreds of people are planning to gather at City Hall at midday on Saturday, February 25 to champion Ukrainian culture and spread messages of hope.
Suffolk
St Edmundsbury Cathedral will host a Candlelit Vigil to mark one year since the invasion of Ukraine on Friday 24 February at 5.30 pm. The service will feature prayer, moments of reflection and some elements of sung Ukrainian Liturgy and will be jointly led by the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and Ukrainian Priest Father Bohdan Сhyborak. The service will be attended by both the High Sheriff of Suffolk, Major Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lady Clare, Countess of Euston and representatives of UK armed services who will lay a wreath dressed in Ukrainian colours in remembrance of those who have lost lives in the continuing conflict.
Felixstowe will be marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a special service at the town hall. The town’s mayor Sharon Harkin will raise the Ukrainian flag in Felixstowe Town Hall Gardens at 10am on 24 February and give a speech, along with a representative or volunteer from the charity Ukraine2Felixstowe. Flowers can be laid at the base of the flag pole. The United Reformed Church in Orwell Road will be holding a period of reflection and candle lighting between 3pm and 7pm on Friday 24 February.
Cambridgeshire
Cambridge4Ukraine are holding a candlelight vigil this Friday 24 at 7pm, a solidarity march on Saturday 25 setting off from Cambridge War Memorial at 2pm to Kings Parade, and a prayer service in Great St. Mary’s at 4 pm on Sunday 26. There’s more about these events on the Cambridge for Europe website, and on their Facebook page.
Ely Cathedral – is hosting GOLGOTHA 2022 – Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Christ’s Passion. This exhibition is by Stephen Tromans who began a series of paintings immediately after the invasion, setting the terrible events in Ukraine against the Easter story, which was unfolding at the same time. In these works, on display in the Lady Chapel one year later, he seeks to draw out the meaning of Christ’s Passion, and what it has to say now in speaking of human suffering and human evil. In doing so he draws on the work of great artists of the past, such as Goya, Picasso, Rubens, and Rembrandt who have sought to depict both the horrors of war, and the suffering of Christ.
Peterborough Cathedral – will light up yellow and blue in solidarity with Ukraine this week. It will host an exhibition of photographs showing aspects of daily life in Ukraine for those who remain there. Ukraine One Year On: The New Normal. There will be Prayers and Borscht at 12 noon on Friday to mark the one year anniversary. Borscht is a traditional soup made with beetroot, onions and other ingredients, and is a Ukrainian favourite. And during the week one of the side chapels has been set aside for those who would like to come and light a candle and spend a while in quiet prayer for all those caught up in the war. During the anniversary week, the west front of the Cathedral will be lit in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Follow this link for more information about Peterborough Cathedral’s Ukraine Welcoming Network Project
Essex
Southend On Friday 24 February 2023 the nation will come together as mark of our respect for the continued bravery and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people. The Worshipful The Mayor, Cllr Kevin Robinson will lead the City in a moment of solidarity, where we will join in the national moment of silence. The Mayor will also be raising the Ukrainian flag. The ceremony will start at 10:45am at Porters Civic House, Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2LT. All are welcome to attend. On this day, the council will also be turning the Civic Centre, Porters Civic House, and seafront lights on City Beach yellow and blue. Welcome 2 the UK, in partnership with the council, will be hosting a free coffee morning between 10am and 1pm at their hub in the Victoria shopping centre, for Ukrainians to meet and support each other on this difficult day.
Brentwood Cathedral One year. We lift the people of Ukraine in prayer to the Lord and ask Mary, the Queen of Peace, to intercede for the world: 9.15 a.m. Mass: Intention for Ukraine and the restoration of a just and lasting peace; 12noon: Rosary will be prayed for peace in our world and particularly in Ukraine; 7.00 p.m. Stations of the Cross will be offered for the people of Ukraine as they join their sufferings to the redemptive suffering of Christ.
Chelmsford Today marks one year since Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine. Chelmsford City Council stands with Ukraine, and we will be observing the national moment of silence at 11am this morning.Riverside Leisure Centre will also be lit in blue and yellow this evening, in tribute to the courageous Ukrainians, thousands of whom have lost their lives fighting for freedom. Many more have lost family, friends, pets, and been displaced from their homes during the last year. Please join us in marking this moment of solidarity with Ukraine.
Hertfordshire
St Albans Cathedral is lighting up blue and yellow, flying the Ukrainian flag, marking the one-minute silence and chaplains will say prayers on the hour every hour written especially for the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine by the Dean of St Albans, the Very Revd Jo Kelly Moore, who chairs the Association of English Cathedrals.
Hertford will hold a candlelit vigil at County Hall at 6pm, open to anyone who wants to join Hertfordshire’s Ukrainian community. The event will include prayers led by the Rev Alan Stewart, of St Andrew’s Church.
Bedfordshire
As Friday 24 February 24 marks a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, they will be events across the town that day to give people a chance to reflect and pay their respects. Friday, Harpur Square – candle-lit vigil at 6pm. Friday, St James’ Church, Biddenham – light a candle and pray at 7pm. Saturday, The Church of the Transfiguration, Kempston – a mass at 4pm; ecumenical prayer at 5pm; and a concert at 5.30pm.
