Washington state marks first anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine

Friday marks one year since Russia’s military invaded Ukraine, trying to take over the country.  Thousands have been killed and millions forced out of their homes.

But still, Ukraine continues to fight and defy all expectations.

Here at home, the Evergreen state is showing its support for Ukraine.

Today, the Washington state legislature issued a proclamation in support of Ukraine. And there are at least two masses to commemorate this day.

In fact, a vigil was held at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland, as this congregation has really taken the Ukrainian people and their struggles to heart.

In this church, nearly 5,500 miles away, they held a vigil for Ukraine on the day one year ago that country was invaded by its Russian neighbor. The conflict has deeply touched the hearts of congregants here.

“What’s amazing is this is the one thing most Americans seem to agree on,” said Father Michael Rya, St. John’s rector. “And we see the suffering. And we see the damage that’s caused when democratic institutions, in this case, a democratic nation, is under attack and their freedom and self-determination are under attack.”

That attack and the year that has followed are personal for Father Andriy Matlak, pastor of the Holy Trinity Mission Parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

“A year of wrath, sorrow, a year of unity, a year of heroism,” he said.

It is that heroism, with considerable material help from the West, that Father Matlak is thinking about now.  His native country battered, he says, but, against the odds, still unbowed.

“Ukrainian soldiers and most of all Ukrainian nation, Ukrainian people showed that we are there to stand, not to just leave and give up with the white flag,” said Father Matlak. “But we, they are there to fight.”

It is that fighting spirit that led state Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline) to sponsor a resolution to support the Ukrainians here and over there because if Ukraine loses, so, he says, will the rest of the democratic world.

“That is what is at stake here,” insisted Sen. Salomon. “That’s what victory in this war means to us.”

Father Matlak says victory, and he predicts it will come, will be because the West invested so much.

To that end, St. John’s here in Kirkland is matching a $15,000 donation, the proceeds to benefit Ukraine relief programs.

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