Sunday morning began like many others—the sky was overcast with a gentle rain falling, and Divine Liturgy in a language foreign to me. I am always thankful that St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Vancouver has an outstanding choir, as I often sink too deeply into prayer as a result of not understanding the language. The choir calls me back to attention.
After the homily in Ukrainian, an English one followed, and then the priest had a surprise announcement. He explained that he had only found out the day before. “After the Divine Liturgy, it is thought that part of the Ukrainian team at the Invictus Games will be joining us for coffee!”
This year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler saw Ukraine’s largest team—35 veterans and servicemen—win 30 medals, place third overall, behind the U.S. (55) and Australia (36). It was Ukraine’s second-best performance ever.
I live nearby and as the liturgy moved toward the consecration, I wondered what gifts I could bring from home to make their lives easier in a war in winter. The choir’s voices called me back again and again. I remember how the Holy Family had to flee because their lives were threatened. Why would these athletes choose to join us for coffee?
The sleek black vans pulled up and I helped direct the athlete in a wheelchair to another door nearer the elevator, explaining that the church’s sloped floor would lead him downstairs for coffee. The visiting Ukrainians were all happy and smiling, and I noticed none of them were wearing gloves, although their uniforms had three layers. Some wore a vyshyvanka (an elaborately embroidered shirt often worn under a uniform as a talisman for protection in battle or during an epidemic). Their uniforms were not all the same colour—a Ukrainian staff member explained, because they had to make do with what fabrics they could find amidst a war, but all the logos were the same. Many of the guests spoke English and were very kind in acting as translators for the rest of us.
Most of the visitors asked for tea over coffee, and besides the usual Ukrainian sweet treats, they were introduced to a local favourite, the Nanaimo bar. If only we had known—there were so many things we could have prepared to share with them. They were simply excited just being with us. Some members of our parish had connections with some of the battalions and areas they were from in Ukraine.
They also brought handmade gifts for each of us—a trident friendship bracelet, including smaller ones for the children. We had only the sandwiches, sweets, coffee, and tea that we shared. Things get so much simpler in war, I thought. And we were gifted with beautiful, smiling guests just glad to be in our company before they were to fly back the next day to their war-torn country.
Then I remembered that the greatest gift we can give them at the moment was to hold them in our hearts in prayer. This Sunday, Feb. 23, marks the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Wherever you are this Sunday, please pray for peace. If you would like to join others in prayer, a vigil will be held at Holy Eucharist Cathedral, 501–4th Avenue, New Westminster, beginning at 5:40 p.m.—the hour Ukraine was invaded.
The Ukrainians chose the Scripture, “In the world you have tribulation; but take heart, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).
One of the greatest gifts that Ukrainians have shared with me since childhood is their trust in turning to Christ. In the smiling faces of these strangers, I met Jesus again and again. Slava Ukraini. Glory to Ukraine.
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