Voices of innocence in Minersville pray for peace in Ukraine
Feb. 23—MINERSVILLE — Voices of innocence resounded in opposition to the horror of war Thursday as schoolchildren prayed for peace in Ukraine at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.
"Oh, God, author of love and peace, defend those who cry out to you today," students in the parish parochial school called out in unison. "Pour out your grace upon the people of Ukraine."
The appeal by children, 102 strong, came on the eve of the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a military action that has taken thousands of lives on both sides, left parts of Ukraine in ruins and displaced millions in the largest refugee crisis since World War II.
Kamilla Zvarych, a refugee from her homeland who is in first grade at St. Nicholas School, lit a candle and joined her fellow students in recitation of the five sorrowful mysteries of the rosary.
Led by the Rev. Mark Fesniak, pastor, the students prayed for almost an hour beneath a gold-tinted dome over the church nave, an ecclesiastical portal to heaven.
Dedicating their prayers to children who died, were injured or had to leave their homes in Ukraine, the students asked the mother of God for her intercession in bringing about peace.
At the conclusion of each segment of the rosary, the children chanted in Ukrainian, "Presvyataya Bohoroditse spasy nas," or "O Most Holy Mother of God, save us."
Sister Natalya Stoczanyn, who teaches religion at the school, said the children helped write the introductions to the prayers.
"Lord Jesus, war is a terrible thing," they said aloud at one point during the service. "We do not understand why people hate each other so much that they are able to kill without realizing that they are ending someone's life."
The students of St. Nicholas School pray every day for an end to the war in Ukraine.
"They know that there are children suffering in Ukraine," Stoczanyn said. "They have come to know that war is a terrible thing."
Principal Susan Miller said the students have been praying, raising funds and collecting medical supplies for Ukraine since the start of the war.
In preparation for Thursday's service, each student made a handprint that was organized into a blue-and-yellow banner depicting the flag of Ukraine.
Children lit votive candles in front of the flag at the start of each decade of the rosary. Girls who were members of the school's sodality wore blue capes over their shoulders.
In a concluding entreaty, the children said, "Please, Father, remind us and the children of Ukraine that you will never leave us."
Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007
