Bury St Edmunds' St Edmundsbury Cathedral to hold candlelit vigil to mark one year since the invasion of Ukraine

St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds will be holding a candlelit vigil to mark one year since the invasion of Ukraine.

Major Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, High Sheriff of Suffolk, the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Clare, Countess of Euston, and representatives of UK armed services, will attend.

Wreath dressed in Ukrainian colours will be laid in remembrance of those who have lost lives in the continuing conflict.

The service will feature prayer, moments of reflection and some elements of sung Ukrainian Liturgy.

The Right Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, will lead the vigil with Ukrainian Priest Father Bohdan Сhyborak and the Cathedral choir.

Major Lowther-Pinkerton said: “It is of the greatest importance, and a privilege, that we are able to join with our Ukrainian friends in Suffolk in remembering and mourning before God the heart-wrending sacrifice made by the Ukrainian people over the past year since the devastating and illegal invasion of their land by the forces of the Russian Federation.

"Their bravery and steadfastness in confronting aggression and tyranny is an inspiration to all freedom-loving peoples. In that sense, their sacrifice is made as much for us as for their own, and we in Suffolk are humbly and deeply grateful for it."

The Rev Canon Philip Banks, Canon Precentor at St Edmundsbury Cathedral added: "Following the recent Ukraine Christmas event, we are honoured to be asked to host a time of prayer and reflection for the Ukraine community and all who wish to express their anguish, solidarity and prayer at this time.

"The fact that there is still a completely needless war in Europe is heart-breaking. We hope that by showing our continued support, our brothers and sisters in and from Ukraine know that we support them. We also extend that prayer to the Russian forces and civilians who have been pulled into a conflict not of their making.”

The vigil will take place on Friday, February 24, at 5.30pm, in place of the usual service of Choral Evensong.