Vigil For Ukraine Held At Kingstowne Towne Center

KINGSTOWNE, VA — One month after Russia invaded Ukraine, a candlelight vigil will be held Thursday at Kingstowne Towne Center to show solidarity for the people of Ukraine.

Kingstowne Communion, a United Methodist church in the Kingstowne area, is hosting the vigil at 7 p.m. Thursday. The location is outside the Regal movie theater next to Panera Bread at Kingstowne Town Center, 5910 Kingstowne Towne Center, Alexandria, VA.

Rev. Michelle Matthews of Kingstowne Communion, shared the intent behind the vigil in an email to Patch.

"What is happening in Ukraine is devastating, and everything that we, as people of faith, should reject," said Matthews. "It's actually a part of what it means to be a baptized Christian actually. In our baptismal vows we say that we will 'reject evil, injustice, and oppression wherever it presents itself.' The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the continuous toll on human life, is evil, injustice, and oppression on an international level."

The event will include praying for peace and holding vigil as a "peaceful resistance" to the Russian invasion, according to Matthews. Vigil attendees will pray, call for a cease-fire, for leaders to be held accountable, and for those who have been impacted by the crisis to find comfort and relief.

Matthews noted the significance of the vigil during the Christian observance of Lent, a 40-day time in preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus on Easter.

"Recently, Putin actually hijacked the words of Jesus at a war rally to justify the war and atrocities in Ukraine," said Matthews. "It is in the season of Lent though, then we remember that when Jesus said, 'No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,' he was preparing to go to the cross, not to war. For Christ, we as Christians take up our cross and die; we don’t take up our weapons and kill."

Attendees are invited to wear blue and yellow to show support for Ukraine. Ukrainian flags and signs of support are welcome, as well as fresh sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine.