U.S. National Cathedral holds special prayer for Ukrainian children
"Today it is something special because it is about Ukrainian children," Denys Sienik, acting ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S., said. "Those children who are no longer with us, those children who have been kidnapped by Russia. And it is so important to draw attention, to raise public attention to the matter, and to send a message to all Ukrainian children that no one is forgotten."
The U.S. National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., held a special All Saints Day prayer on November 1 for Ukrainian children affected by the Russian invasion. Denys Sienik, Ukraine's acting ambassador to the U.S., emphasized the importance of bringing attention to the plight of these children, who have been kidnapped by Russia or are at risk of being deported.
The event featured prayers, Psalms, and hymns, highlighting the Anglican tradition, and included prayers for peace in Ukraine led by Ukrainian children and clergy. Hundreds attended the service, making it the latest of three prayer events the cathedral has hosted for Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. According to official reports, Ukraine's Justice Ministry has confirmed 20,610 cases of deported or forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to Russia, though Ukrainian human rights groups estimate that the actual number could be much higher, potentially reaching up to 150,000.
Ukrainian officials and international organizations place the total number of abducted children at over 200,000 to 300,000. As of September 2026, more than 3,900 children have been confirmed killed in Ukraine since 2022, with the real number likely being even higher.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
