Hundreds of people flocked to the St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt to commemorate the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, organised by the Ukrainian council of New South Wales.
Many clad in the distinctive blue and yellow of Ukraine and waving flags, they stood and listened for calls to end the war and restore Ukraine.
Some were holding framed images of their loved ones who had died in the conflict, most of whom were young soldiers.
In attendance was Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Eparch of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, who praised the Ukrainians for “teaching us to love sacrificially by giving their lives for their neighbours” and highlighted the horrors of war which plague their country.
“Every night, Ukrainians are woken by the sounds of air raid sirens and flying drones, missiles, and bombs, taking children in their arms and running out to a shelter,” he said.
“Every morning, Ukrainians reach for phones and call to make sure that everything is okay with our relatives and friends.”
He said Ukraine’s continued efforts were helped by the nations who support Ukraine’s people materially, and by prayer and hope.
“This hope is able to endure and carry us through the greatest difficulties and hellish trials,” he said.
“Ukraine prays because it believes in victory and a just peace that exceeds earthly expectations, because our Lord God acts as our defender.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people, calling Russia “bullies” who had hoped for a swift conquering and short war.
“But today, three years on, after 1000 days of conflict, Ukraine is still standing tall on its own feet on the black soil of its own beautiful land,” he said.
“It was Vladimir Putin who crossed the border, Putin who started this terrible war, Putin who ordered the bombs, who brought the murder and the bloodshed, the death and destruction.”
Minns said, unlike Russia, Ukraine held the “most basic democratic principle of all”—the ability to decide its own future.
“A Russian victory there would be a victory for those who want to take us back to dark old days where warlords were free to menace their neighbours, where big were free to bully the small,” he said.
“That’s not the world any of us want to live in and it’s the responsibility of civilised nations to reject it unambiguously.”
Cardinal Bychok said the Monday night rally was “unique” as it was important for Australians to hear what is happening on the ground in Ukraine.
He said prayer was a tool for the Ukrainians and called upon people to pray not only for justice in Ukraine but for the “conversion of Russia.”
“The only reason that Ukraine stands is because many people, not only in Ukraine, but as well around the world, they are praying,” he told The Catholic Weekly.
“They are praying not only for Ukraine and for a justice, they are praying as well for conversion of Russia.”
Also in attendance were Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite, Senator Deborah O’Neill, MP David Coleman, Senator Dave Sharma, and Major General (Rtd) Mick Ryan AM.