Primate issues statement on Ukraine invasion

Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, asked Anglicans to pray for the people of Ukraine this week as the news broke of Russia’s full-scale invasion of the Eastern European country.  

“Any war brings untold pain and devastation to all involved. This one will do the same,” Nicholls said in a statement posted to the national church’s website. 

After weeks of increasing troop buildups against Ukraine’s border and increasingly hostile rhetoric, Russian forces began a full invasion of Ukraine on Thursday Feb. 24. As of this article’s publication, the fighting had reached the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital city. 

Nicholls encouraged Anglicans to join a Zoom prayer meeting which the Anglican Peace and Justice Network, a network of the worldwide Anglican Communion,  hosted at 3 p.m. EST on Friday Feb. 25. She also requested church members include prayers in this Sunday’s worship.  

“This Sunday, February 27th, is the the Feast of the Transfiguration,” she said. “On this day we celebrate another epiphany of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who calls us into peace with one another. Please include prayers in your time of worship for Ukraine, for Russia and for all world leaders seeking a peaceful resolution to this tragic war.” 

Nicholls included prayers from the Book of Alternative Services and the Book of Common Prayer: 

From the Book of Alternative Services (p. 677): 

O God, it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single
peace. Let the design of your great love shine on the waste of
our wraths and sorrows, and give peace to your Church, peace
among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts;
through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 

From the Book of Common Prayer (p. 51): 

ALMIGHTY God and merciful Father, who
wouldest have the kingdoms of the world
become the kingdom of thy Son Jesus Christ:
Bestow thy blessing, we beseech thee, upon all
who labour for peace and righteousness among
the peoples [especially . . . ]; that the day may be
hastened when war shall be no more, and thy
will only shall govern the nations upon earth;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.