Peace in Ukraine

Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine

Sunday, January 8, 2023

On January 8th Plast USA invites you and your communities to gather and join us in raising our communal voices in prayer for Peace in Ukraine. Invite your friends, colleagues, other Scouts, and faith group members.

You may organize your own event or join one already planned.

To add your event to the map, please click the "Add Your Prayer Service to our Map" button above.

Click any map pin for contact information and other details.

How do I plan a Day of Prayer activity?

Alexandra Lebed, Plast USA

Incorporate the Bethlehem Peace Light into the prayer ceremony. This year, with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men and women fighting for their freedom, millions of Ukrainians displaced, thousands forcefully evacuated to Russia, and countless missing, it is so important to focus all the hopes and prayers associated with the Bethlehem Peace Light on Ukraine.
If possible, contact your local religious leader to say a special prayer during or after mass on Sunday. This way the whole congregation can participate in this special event.
Explain to everyone why it is especially important to raise our communal voices in prayer for Ukraine at this time: Ten months ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine. Since February 24^th, Russia has launched over 16,000 missile attacks on Ukraine, with 97% of these missile strikes aimed at civilian targets, including infrastructure. And now, with winter fast approaching, Ukraine’s energy systems are on the brink of collapse, with 50% of the country’s thermal and hydro-electric plants destroyed. Millions of people face potentially life-threatening living conditions without heat, electricity, and running water. And yet, despite all of this, the resolve and resistance of the Ukrainian people has not waned. But they need our support and what better way to demonstrate our spiritual solidarity than have the entire nation stop to say a prayer for the war to end and normal life in Ukraine to resume.
Ask everyone to bring a candle or supply candles to be lit from the Bethlehem Peace Light. As the candles are lit, small prayers can be said aloud. For example: may the electrical grid remain intact, may no more missiles hit civilian targets, or may those on the frontlines stay warm and safe. The culminating prayer would be that the Bethlehem Peace Light illuminate Ukraine’s path towards victory to ensure its peaceful existence as a free country.

Donate to Plast USA's Ukrainian Relief Fund

Praying for Peace in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy receives the 2022 Peace Light from members of the National Organization of Scouts in Ukraine.

From NOSU's Facebook page (emphasis added): "This year we value this ceremony especially strongly. Today it is not just a symbol of peace, hope and love. This is another confirmation that only by uniting we will be able to create a better tomorrow. It is from hand to hand, from one Scout unit to another, that the Light travels through borders and gets to everyone who is waiting for it."

The Importance of Dedicating the 2022 Bethlehem Peace Light

to Peace in Ukraine

Written by Plast Ukrainian Scout Lada Bidiak

Presented at Our Lady of the Skies Chapel by Plast Ukrainian Scout Laryssa Wowk

36 years ago, as part of a large charitable relief entitled “Light into Darkness,” the Austrian Broadcasting Company launched the Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign. Since 1986, Scouts from the entire world have coordinated efforts to share the Light and allow it to travel throughout not only 30 European nations, but also Mexico and North America. This year, perhaps more so than in any past years, the Bethlehem Peace Light holds special meaning.

9 months ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine. Since February 24^th, Russia has launched over 16,000 missile attacks on Ukraine, with 97% of these missile strikes aimed at civilian targets, including infrastructure. And now, with winter fast approaching, Ukraine’s energy systems are on the brink of collapse, with 50% of the country’s thermal and hydro-electric plants destroyed. Millions of people face potentially life-threatening living conditions without heat, electricity, and running water. And yet, despite all of this, the resolve and resistance of the Ukrainian people has not waned. Perhaps it stems from years of Russian oppression, and the centuries-old belief that good will always prevail over evil.

This year, the notion of light is that much more poignant, and nowhere is it more symbolic than within the Bethlehem Peace Light. The Light of love, goodness, harmony, and unity serves not only as a beacon of peace within the darkness of war, but also as a harbinger of the victory of light over that darkness.

Members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, both here and in Europe, have been sharing the Bethlehem Peace Light to hospitals, churches, schools, government bodies, and individuals since 1997. When Russia occupied Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014, Plast Scouts took it upon themselves to share the Light with Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines and have been doing so every year since then. This year, with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men and women fighting for their freedom, millions of Ukrainians displaced, thousands forcefully evacuated to Russia, and countless missing, it is so important to focus all the hopes and prayers associated with the Bethlehem Peace Light on Ukraine.

And as we go about our days, preparing for upcoming Christmas celebrations, let us not lose sight of the true meaning of the holiday. Christmas is not about gifts, the elaborately prepared meals, the cheerful carols. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ – the one true Light. Just think about the origin of the Bethlehem Peace Light – the Church of the Nativity - in a cave, which marks what is believed to be the actual place of the birth of our Savior. That Light of Peace is passed from hand to hand, from nation to nation, throughout the world – uniting us all in love, brotherhood, and goodness. Let us focus on the peace represented by the flame in front of you and let us channel that peace as we share the Light with those who need it most.

On January 8th, once the Peace Light has been distributed throughout the United States, the Ukrainian Scouts will meet in churches and community centers to pray with other scouts and community members for Ukraine. We invite all of you to join us on that day, organizing local gatherings perhaps in churches, for a Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine.

May the Bethlehem Peace Light bring love, goodness, and harmony into your homes, and may it illuminate Ukraine’s path towards Victory.

And now I would like to present a group of Ukrainian Scouts who will sing the Bethlehem Peace song, written in 2005 by a young Ukrainian Scout named Solomiya Keyvan.

Hear the Ukrainian Peace Light Song Sung by the Composer

Translation of Ukrainian Peace Light Song

Written and composed by a Plast Ukrainian Scout – Solomiya Keyvan

A star flared in the sky,

A spark flashed in my heart,

Christ, our Lord, was born today.

With honey and wormwood, on this blessed day I will welcome Him.

Let Heaven sing. I will go to Him.

I will welcome Him.

Refrain:

Light of love, Light of goodness,

Carried in the lantern flame.

For all to know God’s house –

We will carry the Light,

Sharing the love with everyone.

Moonbeams knock on the window,

Softly calling us to follow.

Our hearts rejoice, warming our souls,

Awash in the sun’s glow.

May the strength of your heart

Reflect in our actions,

And emanate from our lips.

Refrain…

Angels sing, glorifying God.

Happiness awakens in our hearts.

Joy unites the world, heaven sings out to us,

And lights the path.

The tenderness of the Child --

Sincere and innocent

Guides us on our path in life.

Refrain…