Rockford church to hold weekly prayer service for Ukraine
From news release
Rock River Current
Get our newsletter
ROCKFORD — A church founded by Ukrainian, Belarusian and Polish immigrants roughly seven decades ago will host a new weekly prayer service for the people of Ukraine.
Christ the Savior Orthodox Church has several parishioners with family in Ukraine affected by the war. Some parishioners speak almost daily with relatives overseas.
Several community residents and church parishioners asked for the weekly service as a way to find guidance, hope and peace after the Russian invasion.
Related: ‘One of the strongest tools we have when we feel helpless’: Rockford faithful turn to prayer for Ukraine
The weekly service will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting Monday, March 21 at the church, 1802 Pershing Ave. The service is open to all and meant to unite Rockford in prayer.
More than 200 people of various faiths gathered at the church in late February for the first public prayer service.
“During this time of global emergency, we turn our face towards God and seek his mercy and intercession,” the Rev. Jonathan Bannon said in a news release.
Related: Rockford launches relief effort for Ukrainian sister city in crisis
Prayer will be offered before the Theotokos of Vladimir, an icon depicting the Christ child embracing his mother — a symbol connecting with the mothers of Ukraine. Traced back to 1125, the ’Our Lady of Tenderness’ is the most loved image of the Eastern Church.
[wpbg-gallery id=179226 title=”yes” description=”no” view=”slider”]
