On Sunday, the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish “Saint Peter Mogila” in Bucharest held a memorial service for the victims of the war in Ukraine, marking three years since the conflict began.
The service was preceded by the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Father Vladimir-Clement Malcovici, the parish priest of the Ukrainian community.
“I have parishioners who come from cities that no longer exist today, and in their minds, they have already settled permanently in Romania,” said Father Malcovici in an interview with TVR Info.
The cleric also emphasized the profound impact of the war and the hopes of some refugees to return home:
“People are waiting for the end of this tragic war. Many of them hope to return home. However, a large part of them no longer have a home to return to.”
“Everyone lives with this anxiety caused by the war, even after these three years,” he added.
Prayers for the Future
Andrey Skliar, Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine to Romania, attended the service and underscored the importance of praying for those in captivity, particularly for children, the innocent victims of the war.
He also expressed his hope that all those displaced by the conflict would be repatriated and regain safety and stability in their homeland.
“Today, together, we prayed for all those who have died defending our people, for those who continue to fight for the integrity and sovereignty of our state. We pray for those in captivity, especially the children, and for the repatriation of all who have been displaced,” said Andrey Skliar.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Community in Bucharest
The “Saint Peter Mogila” Ukrainian Orthodox Parish, located in Sector 6 of Bucharest, is part of the Sighetu Marmației Deanery, one of the two deaneries within the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate, under the canonical jurisdiction of the Romanian Patriarchate, serves Ukrainian Orthodox believers in Romania, offering services in Ukrainian conducted by Ukrainian-speaking clergy.
Initially transformed into a Ukrainian Orthodox Deanery in 1952, the Vicariate was placed under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Cluj, receiving financial support from the Romanian Patriarchate. After the fall of communism, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church re-established the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in 1990, restoring its direct authority under the Patriarchate.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
