Bishop Hugh, on behalf of the Church of England has shared a message of solidarity and prayer with the churches and people of Ukraine as the country marks the 35th anniversary of its independence, under the shadow of war.
Bishop Hugh shared a message from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, as he joined Ukrainian church leaders, other religious leaders and government officials at the national prayer breakfast in Kyiv this morning.
The message renews the Church of England’s commitment to “stand in prayerful solidarity” with Ukraine and acknowledging the “immense sacrifices” made “in defence of your country, its people and the values of freedom and human dignity”.
It also celebrates Ukraine’s rich religious pluralism, commends the constitutional commitments to freedom of religion and conscience and rejects the language of “holy war” used to justify the attempts to occupy and subjugate Ukraine by the current regime in Moscow.
Quoting the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, Archbishop Sarah writes:
“As His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch has reminded us, ‘There has never been, nor will there be, a 'holy war'.
“War is always a tragedy, never an expression of God's will. We pray for peace.
“We pray for those who have lost their lives, for those who mourn, for the wounded, the displaced, and all who live under the daily shadow of violence and fear.”
She concludes: “May God grant you courage, wisdom and hope, and may the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in the days ahead.”
Bishop Hugh arrived in Kyiv on Saturday after travelling overnight from Poland.
He met the leader of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphany, at St Michael's Monastery complex in Old Kyiv and also visited the ancient Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery - a world heritage site which was badly damaged in a Russian drone and missile attack in June.
During his visit Bishop Hugh, who is the Church of England’s Bishop to the Armed Forces, also hopes to meet Ukrainian military chaplains and combat veterans as well as a range of church and civic leaders.
Full text of the message read by Bishop Hugh:
A message from the Archbishop of Canterbury
The National Prayer Breakfast, Kyiv, Ukraine, 23 August 2026
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I am sorry that I cannot be with you today to pray alongside you.
Prayer draws us into union with God and into communion with one another. It breaks down the walls of indifference, opens our hearts to those who suffer, and strengthens us to work for justice and peace.
Please be assured that I pray daily for the people of Ukraine. The Church of England continues to stand in prayerful solidarity with you, mindful of the immense sacrifices that continue to be made in defence of your country, its people and the values of freedom and human dignity.
As His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch has reminded us, "There has never been, nor will there be, a 'holy war'." War is always a tragedy, never an expression of God's will. We pray for peace.
We pray for those who have lost their lives, for those who mourn, for the wounded, the displaced, and all who live under the daily shadow of violence and fear.
We pray that, even amid the devastation of war, Ukraine’s commitment to religious pluralism will be preserved and strengthened, enabling all Churches and faith communities to contribute to the flourishing of society and the work of reconciliation.
May God grant you courage, wisdom and hope, and may the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in the days ahead.
