To mark Ukraine's Independence Day, the Ukrainian Embassy to the Holy See organized this Mass in Rome.
Bishop Hlib Lonchyna from the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic community in France presided over the Mass. He was joined by Bishop Irynej Bilyk, the canon of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. After a period of clandestinely living his faith, he was one of the first bishops to meet with Pope John Paul II.
BP. HLIB LONCHYNA
Ukrainian Greek-Catholic community in France
We are celebrating the 32nd anniversary of the independence of Ukraine, and of course, it's a very happy celebration because the Ukranians have been striving for centuries to be an independent nation. But on the other hand, it is mixed with sorrow because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Among those present was the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Holy See, Andrii Yurash, who expressed his gratitude to the Vatican for their ongoing peace mission.
ANDRII YURASH
Ukrainian Ambassador to the Holy See
We are thankful to the Holy See for the opportunity to be involved in this process. And when Cardinal Zuppi visited Ukraine, he was recieved by the main representatives of the State: by the president, by several other, the most important figures in our country.
The celebration took place in the Basilica of St. Sophia, the heart of the Ukrainian community in Rome. It was built prior to the country's independence. For some of the Ukrainians present, this basilica is a kind of refuge, a small Ukraine in the Eternal City.
OKSANA BOYKO
Always it was a place where you could gather all Ukrainian migrants, from all countries, here to find a little piece of Ukraine. For our children who grew up here in Italy, this place is Ukraine.
VASYLYNA
I am glad we have a nice place where we can meet, we can celebrate together, we can do our prayers and greet our fellow countrymen.
At the end of the Mass, the Church was filled with the sounds of the Ukrainian national anthem as people sang in front of the statue of the prelate who began the construction of the basilica decades ago.
It has been 18 months since the conflict in Ukraine began. There was a sense of longing among many present for a period of peace when they could be reunited with their families.
PA
TR: KG
