As Orange County Catholics gathered at the Christ Cathedral for a series of Ash Wednesday Masses, Bishop Kevin Vann and church leaders called on worshipers to pray for peace in Ukraine.
“Reach out as we can from here in the United States, to be present and to help our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine in their time of need,” Vann encouraged as he asked God for peace and to watch over the people. “We can not be isolationists. As people of faith, we reach out.”
A Christ Cathedral Academy student receives ashes during an Ash Wednesday Mass at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a time for Christians to fast and reflect leading up to Easter. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Christ Cathedral Academy students and the public attend Ash Wednesday Mass at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a time for Christians to fast and reflect leading up to Easter. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mitered Archpriest Stephen G. Washko speaks during a prayer service for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Washko spoke about his father, who is from the Ukrainian region at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alyce Reynaud sings during an Ash Wednesday Mass for Christ Cathedral Academy students and the public at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a time for Christians to fast and reflect leading up to Easter. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Diana Herric of Placentia receives ashes from Bishop Timothy Freyer during an Ash Wednesday Mass at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a time for Christians to fast and reflect leading up to Easter. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Christ Cathedral Academy student listens during an Ash Wednesday Mass at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a time for Christians to fast and reflect leading up to Easter. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parishioners participate in a prayer service for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bishop Kevin Vann, center, prays with others during a prayer service for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Christ Cathedral Academy student listens during an Ash Wednesday Mass at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a time for Christians to fast and reflect leading up to Easter. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parishioners participate in a prayer service for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bishop Kevin Vann speaks during a prayer service for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Maggie Hurner of Santa Ana prays during a prayer service for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday at Christ Cathedral in Orange, CA on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vann spoke of how recent events might for many, as it did for him, bring back memories of the Cuban missile crisis. He also echoed the recent message of Pope Francis who called for Ash Wednesday to be a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine.
Vann invited Mitered Archpriest Stephen G. Washko, the pastor of Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Anaheim, to speak and pray with the congregation.
Washko said his father was from the Ukrainian region at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, living there at a time when Russian soldiers would stop at their home. Washko said his father, who spoke Russian, interacted with the soldiers as a child, one even secretly revealing his Christian faith. His father thought that personal connection protected the family’s home from the destruction others saw.
Washko said he’s heard stories now of Russian tanks running out of fuel before reaching Ukrainian communities, and said he’d like to imagine the setback is God is speaking to the conscience of the Russian people.
In his final prayer, Vann again called for peace and blessings for a region currently in turmoil.
“For those who have fled their homes, give them comfort and shelter. For those who have stayed to fight, give them courage in battle,” he prayed. “For those who worship in the streets and in underground shelters, hear their prayers and calm their fears. Make your presence known to all leaders who strive to protect them and to all neighbors who welcome them.”
As the worshipers filed out a Ukrainian hymn was played.
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