St Edmundsbury Cathedral to celebrate Ukrainian Easter Night

An event celebrating Ukrainians in Suffolk will offer people an opportunity to experience some different Easter traditions.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds will host the Celebration of the Ukrainian Easter Night event on Saturday, April 15 starting at 5pm.

Velykden, the Ukrainian Easter, is held a week after our holiday and the unique service will include Ukrainian songs, a candlelit vigil, a short guide to Ukrainian Easter traditions and a prayer for Ukraine.

The Rev Canon Philip Banks, Canon Precentor at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, said: “We’re honoured once again to work with Suffolk’s Ukrainian community, offering a place to worship and mark Velykden on the date of the Ukrainian Easter celebration.

“At its heart, Easter is about light being stronger than darkness, life being stronger than death, love being stronger than hate.

“As we continue to support those in Suffolk displaced by this needless war, we continue to pray for its end and for the peoples of Ukraine to rise from the ashes of so much destruction and human suffering.”

All Ukrainians in Suffolk are invited to attend and to wear their embroidered national shirts alongside Suffolk residents who would also like to celebrate the occasion.

The event has been organised with Suffolk Refugee Support and all donations will be given to charity fund ‘Come Back Alive’ in Ukraine.

The service will also host an exhibition of Ukrainian Easter crafts and a demonstration of the ancient art of egg-painting.