The Ukrainian Embassy in Kenya joined the international campaign “Light a Candle of Memory” dedicated to the 85^th anniversary of Holodomor famine in Ukraine. A commemorative service was held in Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral of Sts. Cosmas and Damian- Orthodox Church of Nairobi.

Ukrainian community of Nairobi, the Embassy of Ukraine in Kenya and church community took part in commemorative prayer.

It was an honour for us that His eminence Archbishop Makarios (Tillyrides) of Kenya and all eastern Africa prayed together with Ukrainian community. During the commemorative service held by Archbishop Makarios and Fr. Jonh Wanguru the names of 85 children who died during famine in Ukraine were read.

“My first acquaintance with Ukraine was in 1974, when I was a student. At that time, I came to Kyiv and Kharkiv to do research for my book. I never knew about this genocide to be honest. Because in those years, you know, what was the situation in those days – it was the soviet regime. It is only after your Independence in 1991 that the archives were opened, and we learned about this terrible genocide in the land of Ukraine” – the Archbishop shared his memories in the speech.

Addressing the community, Chargé d’Affaire of Ukraine to Kenya Mr. Samvel Arustamian, noted that in regard of international acknowledge of Holodomor in Ukraine, the voice of the church is highly important. In the context of recent decision of Sacred Synod in favour of granting Autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, S.Arustamian noted that it will bring unity to the Ukrainian church and will strengthen Ukrainian statehood. Also he mentioned that the least that Ukrainians can do for Holodomor victims, is to remember about them and to uncover the truth about the genocide in Ukraine to the world, so that the tragedy like this never happened again.

Lighting symbolic a candle of remembrance, the community honored the Holodomor victims with a moment of silence.