A special service will be held at Carlisle Cathedral to mark the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
During a special service of evensong on Sunday February 26 at 3pm, prayers written by churches in Ukraine and music in Ukrainian will mix with the timeless prayers of Choral Evensong.
The Rev Canon Michael Manley, canon missioner and interim dean of the Cathedral, said: “As we come to this terrible anniversary we will offer in prayers and silence our deep grief for the suffering of the people of Ukraine in this unjust war.
“We have been privileged to have members of the Ukrainian community in Carlisle be part of our regular worshipping community this last year and hope that this service will be a space for all who have been affected by this war to pause and give to God their grief and anger.
“Alongside this we hope that this service will, in a small way, show our ongoing solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our thanksgiving for the unity and commitment of the international response.”
Members of the Ukrainian community in Carlisle have been invited to the service. Alla Stoica said: “We have all been very touched by the generosity that the people of Carlisle have shown to those Ukrainians who have had to make their home in Carlisle in this last year and thank the cathedral for creating this space where we might offer prayers for a swift and just end to the war in our home.”
The Choral Evensong is sung by the cathedral’s boy choristers and lay clerks and will last a little under an hour.
