Religions united: Ukrainian people are uniting the world religions

Religion News Service (RNS) echo report (Deborah Caldwell):

St Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral @Ukrainian Village, Chicago

Much of the world looks on in horror and disbelief as Russia, led by evil Vladimir Putin, continues its invasion into Ukraine. 

The war has highlighted the role of Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, and Judaism (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish) in Eastern Europe. 

The Atlantic reports: "As the Ukrainian president captivates the world with his bravery, he offers a reminder of the inroads Eastern and Central European Jews have made in overcoming their status as perpetual outsiders."  (By Gal Beckerman)

Across US, worshippers seek solidarity at Ukrainian churches and pray for peace.

The world is responding powerfully. 

Orthodox Christian communities have squared off on different sides of the fight, and the Vatican offered to mediate between the two countries. Across the U.S., in cities with large Ukrainian populations, both Christian and Jewish congregations pray while anxiously awaiting news from abroad. Religious leaders have spoken out, condemning the war and calling for peace — even pagans sent their energy in support as they focused on a statue in Kyiv of a mythic icon.

Humanitarian aid organizations jumped into action, setting up field hospitals, field kitchens, and shelters. The evangelical aid group Samaritan’s Purse sent disaster relief teams to nearby countries as its president, Franklin Graham, attempted to clarify his years-long support of Vladimir Putin. 

Pope Francis, meanwhile, made the unprecedented move to visit the Russian embassy to voice his concern.