Community vows to ‘Stand with Ukraine’

A large group of parishioners and community members gathered Friday at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in support of Ukraine on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Spearheaded by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, some 40 “Stand With Ukraine” events were held in major cities across the country to mark 365 days of death and violence.

Among the crowd at a candlelight vigil at St. John the Baptist on Terrace Hill were congregation members with distant ties to Ukraine, those who immigrated decades ago, and newcomers who fled their war-torn country to the safety of Brantford.

“It’s hard to mark this as an anniversary, which are usually joyous occasions,” said parishioner John Carriere. “It’s an emotional thing for Ukrainians with deep roots in Brantford, those who were born and bred there and attached to their heritage roots. Then we also have these additional 100 families who have come here who have suffered massive personal loss and displacement.”

The community has stepped up to help more than 100 families who fled Ukraine find a safe haven in the city. More continues to arrive, said Carriere.

One of those people, speaking through a translator, talked about his family’s dangerous escape through Russian-occupied Mariupol.

“You didn’t just open the door, you removed the door,” he said through a translator. “By the mercy of God we are here today and we are safe.”

In Toronto, more than a thousand people marched through the downtown before settling in front of city hall, with many draped or waving the Ukrainian flag while others donned its bright blue and yellow colours. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also in attendance.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Putin “nothing more than a tyrant” and a “thug,” and said his war has revealed the strength and resilience of Ukrainians.

Liliya Kulmatycky, a parishioner at St. John the Baptist, said her parents managed to escape Ukraine and are now with her in Brantford but her sister remains there.

“I call her every day,” she said. “Every day they shut off the heat, the hydro, the water. I’m so worried about her. I’m watching the news all the time.”

In a news conference Friday in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters more weapons will allow Ukrainian people to regain their territory.

“We’re getting ready. We’re ready in spirit. And we’re getting ready as far as weapons are concerned, as far as forming attack brigades are concerned.”

The year-long conflict has taken a deadly toll on the Ukrainian population, with tens of thousands of civilians killed and millions more displaced.

With weapons and training from NATO nations and other allies, Ukraine’s military has been able to regain thousands of square kilometers of territory.

Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock and Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, who attended Friday’s vigil, promised continued support for those who remain in Ukraine and those who leave.

“There have been too many innocent lives lost in this unjust war,” said Brock. “This war has left deep scars in our hearts and souls but Ukraine will prevail.”

Davis said the city will continue to support newcomers in finding housing and employment.

“Ukraine is fighting a war on our behalf, fighting tyranny and upholding democracy,” said Davis.

“This war has carried on far longer than we hoped. I truly hope we don’t have to do this again a year from now.”

— With files from The Canadian Press