The Rev. Robert Parent swings an incense burner Saturday at the start of a Byzantine Catholic ceremony at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston. Parent led the congregation in a Ukrainian Greek Catholic chant to honor the citizens of Ukraine. The congregation also prayed for the protection of the Ukrainian people and the restoration of their nation to peace and prosperity. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — A vigil at Holy Cross Church on Lisbon street was held Saturday evening for the citizens affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

The weekly Saturday Mass, sponsored by the Byzantine Catholic Association, an outreach group of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, draws a largely Middle Eastern congregation and is celebrated by the Rev. Robert Parent, a priest in the Byzantine Catholic church who also works with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. 

“Our community thought that we had to do something — even if it’s only to gather people in prayer — especially for Ukraine, for the protection and salvation of Ukraine and its people,” said Parent.

The service included chants in Ukrainian led by the cantor, Greg Buczkowski. “Slava Ukraina,” said Parent, meaning “Glory to Ukraine,” was repeated by parishioners, echoing throughout the high baroque ceiling of Holy Cross. 

“It’s certainly a tragedy, regardless of where everyone stands, and the actions that are happening certainly fall into the category of crimes against humanity. The people of Ukraine need the prayers,” said Buczkowski. 

Buczkowski said he has been following updates posted to YouTube by Professor Taras Tymo of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Kyiv, who he met online while taking one of his courses.

Parent led a procession holding a copy of an image of the Virgin Mary called “The Orans of Kyiv” taken from St. Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

“We do have some people in the community who have contacts with Ukraine or are Ukrainian. We celebrate our liturgy the same as most Ukrainians who are either Orthodox or Byzantine Catholics,” said Parent. “We have a tie to them that way. Many of us, and I myself, know people personally who are Ukrainian clergy and who have gone to Ukraine to work. And also to show solidarity in prayer especially.”

Parent said people within the Byzantine Catholic community have been feeling helpless about the situation and asking what they can do. “We got together and said ‘Let’s get together and dedicate this Sunday for us, specifically our intentions will be to pray for Ukraine.”

The Russian invasion, the roots of which go back to 2014, began on Feb. 20 and has resulted in the deaths of about 600 soldiers and more than 2,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to reports. 

Donations offered during the Mass will be given to a cause benefiting the Ukrainian people. The exact amount collected and organization receiving it will be announced online at byzantinecatholicmaine.org.