Caritas organizations in Ukraine gathered in Kyiv to mark the National Day of Prayer on the anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion, combining spiritual reflection with a renewed commitment to humanitarian action. The prayer service took place at the Greek Catholic Cathedral of the Resurrection and brought together representatives of Caritas Ukraine, Caritas Spes Ukraine, and international partners.
Church leaders and humanitarian workers joined in person and online, reflecting on four years of war that have reshaped daily life across the country. Among those present were Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, and senior representatives from both Caritas networks serving the Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic communities.
In messages shared during the gathering, international Caritas leaders expressed gratitude for the resilience and dedication of local staff and volunteers. They acknowledged the immense suffering endured by millions of Ukrainians and reaffirmed the global network’s solidarity with those affected by violence, displacement, and economic hardship.
Speakers emphasized that Caritas represents more than an institution. It embodies active love expressed through emergency aid, shelter assistance, food distribution, psychosocial support, and long term recovery programs. Over the past four years, Caritas organizations have supported families forced to flee their homes, elderly people living alone, wounded civilians, and children whose education has been disrupted by conflict.
The Apostolic Nuncio highlighted the importance of uniting prayer with action. He described the gathering as a reminder that humanitarian service and spiritual strength are deeply connected. Participants were invited to pray for those living in occupied territories, for prisoners, for medical workers operating under extreme conditions, and for all who have lost their lives.
Humanitarian leaders also drew attention to the scale of ongoing needs. Millions of people remain in vulnerable situations, with damaged infrastructure, limited access to heating and electricity, and continued insecurity in several regions. In some areas, schools remain closed or operate under severe constraints, affecting hundreds of thousands of children.
Personal testimonies during the event underscored the long term psychological and social impact of war. Caritas representatives spoke about young people who have grown up knowing only conflict, elderly citizens who have experienced isolation and loss, and families separated by displacement. These experiences, they said, reveal the human cost that statistics alone cannot capture.
Despite the hardships, speakers expressed hope that perseverance and solidarity can sustain communities through another year of uncertainty. They called for continued international support and for renewed efforts toward a just peace that restores dignity and stability to the population.
As Ukraine continues to face complex humanitarian challenges, Caritas reaffirmed its mission to serve those in need, combining faith, practical assistance, and global cooperation in response to one of Europe’s most prolonged crises.
