During the weekend of May 31–June 1, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) and its partner organizations held over 50 prayer events in 14 states as part of the growing national campaign, Children Praying for Children.
More than 40 houses of worship—representing Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and interfaith communities—joined in solidarity to raise awareness of the 19,546 Ukrainian children illegally abducted by Russian authorities from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
To represent all communities equally we have created an interactive map that provides easy access to the information about all prayer events held over the weekend.
Launched in 2024, Children Praying for Children is an annual campaign initiated by UNWLA to bring American children, families, and communities together in a shared act of faith, remembrance, and advocacy for Ukraine’s youngest victims of war.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, at least 630 Ukrainian children have been killed, 1,960 injured, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
“The overwhelming response to Children Praying for Children, with over 50 events nationwide, shows that the American people stand with Ukraine and its children. We are deeply grateful to all who joined us in this urgent call for justice. The return of abducted Ukrainian children is non-negotiable—and must be a prerequisite for any peace agreement. We urge continued advocacy for S.Res.236 and every effort to bring these children home.”
– Natalie Pawlenko, UNWLA President.
The weekend’s events culminated in a powerful interfaith prayer service in Washington, D.C., co-organized with the Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S.
Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S. Oksana Markarova, children of Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian School in Washington, D.C., U.S. Special Evnoy Ret. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Most Reverend Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak – Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, Reverend Fathers of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian Greek Catholic Churches – Rev. Volodymyr Steliak and Rev. Robert Hitchens; Rev. Roman Kapran, Vice President of Ukrainian Baptist Convention of the USA, UNWLA member and chair of the UNWLA’s initiative Return Ukraine’s Children Marta Fedoriw, Caitlin Howarth, Director of Conflict Analytics at Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, Gillian Huebner, Executive Director Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues Georgetown University, Jeff Abrams, Director, Rescue Ukraine, “Remember the Children of Ukraine” initiative, UNWLA member and event host Iryna Chalupa.
The UNWLA has brought forward the voices of Ukrainian children impacted by the war, including many from temporarily displaced families. Every year, the UNWLA sponsors both winter and summer camps for children who have been displaced or have lost their parents due to the war.
This year, the UNWLA is also sponsoring recreational camps for children in Ukraine — made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova delivered an empowering opening address to attendees, highlighting the devastating impact of Russia’s war on Ukrainian children. She recognized the ongoing advocacy efforts of the Ukrainian-American community and called for the return of all abducted children:
“Pray, stand up, speak up, and never forget!” she said.
In a statement shared after the event, the Embassy of Ukraine wrote:
“We cannot let stolen children become just another statistic. And we must not let those who commit genocide in the 21st century walk away without consequences. Today, we pray. Tomorrow, we continue to act.”
Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova
The service also featured remarks by Special Presidential Envoy to Ukraine, Ret. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who stated:
“Children are the hope of any nation, and the moral clarity of the issue should not be up for discussion. The children need to be returned!”
Special Presidential Envoy to Ukraine, Ret. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg
Interfaith prayer from leaders of Catholic, Baptist, Ukrainian Orthodox, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic communities:
“We ask you now, dear Lord, save our children. Save those who are being abducted, ripped from the arms of their parents. Bless them, embrace them, protect them, and bring them home,”
— Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the U.S.
“Lord, help those children who are far from home return—return to their families, return to their parents, return to where they belong.”
— Rev. Roman Kapran, Vice President, Ukrainian Baptist Convention of the USA
Most Reverend Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak – Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, Reverend Fathers of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian Greek Catholic Churches – Rev. Volodymyr Steliak and Rev. Robert Hitchens; Rev. Roman Kapran, Vice President of Ukrainian Baptist Convention of the USA
UNWLA member and Chair of the UNWLA’s Return Ukraine’s Children initiative, Marta Fedoriw spoke about the importance of sustained advocacy for the return of all Ukrainian children. She emphasized the value of initiatives like Children Praying for Children in raising awareness and building support for Ukraine’s children across diverse segments of American society.
Marta Fedoriw speaking at the Children Praying for Children event in Washington, D.C.
Children Praying for Children events spotlights
We were deeply humbled to have children in Ukraine join the Children Praying for Children initiative. With the blessing of Archbishop Afanasii (Shkurupii) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, children gathered in prayer at St. Michael’s Church of the Kharkiv-Poltava Eparchy. The prayer was led by the parish priest, Archpriest Oleksandr Horai.
On June 1st, the UNWLA Branch in Stamford, CT held a prayer vigil at St. Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral to honor the more than 19,000 Ukrainian children abducted by Russian forces. Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), a member of the House Intelligence Committee and vocal critic of Putin’s war crimes, attended the service and joined UNWLA members in planting a tree in remembrance of the children.
That same weekend, St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hartford hosted a prayer vigil with participation from multiple Christian denominations. Reverend Timothy Squier of Old St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church offered prayers calling for urgent U.S. action to return abducted children. The vigil included testimony from students with personal ties to the war and strong support from the Ukrainian American Youth Association.
“Christians are raising their voices for the defenseless and oppressed… urging the U.S. President and Secretary of State to prioritize the return of Ukraine’s children in peace negotiations.”
Banner & Assembly
Congressman Himes with UNWLA members
High school student Elizabeth R Speaking
Attendees group photo
In Philadelphia, PA, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-4) addressed a local gathering hosted by UNWLA Branch 146, saying:
“We must not forget the tens of thousands of children who have been forcibly deported by Russia and remain missing. We are at a pivotal moment as ceasefire negotiations start and stop. The United States must stand firm in our support for Ukraine’s young democracy—and we must be strong in our position as the indispensable nation.”
Twelve events took place across California, initiated by UNWLA Branch 111 and partner organizations, demonstrating a united effort to honor and pray for Ukraine’s children. Highlights included special services at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, and all three major Ukrainian churches in Los Angeles. A local synagogue also hosted a dedicated service, and students from Ridna Shkola gathered for their year-end picnic, which featured a heartfelt prayer for children affected by the war.
Partner organizations also played a key role: Globe for Ukraine hosted wounded Ukrainian veteran Andrii Smolenskiy as a guest speaker, the House of Ukraine in San Diego included a prayer for abducted children during their weekly rally, and Angels of Ukraine organized a Kinder Fest that featured a special prayer for Ukraine’s children.
These collective efforts reflect the deep commitment of California’s Ukrainian-American community to raising awareness and standing in solidarity with Ukraine’s most vulnerable.
Andrii Smolenskiy speaks to the assembly in Augora Hills, CA
Children reading a prayer for Ukrainian children
St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Service at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church
UNWLA Branch 118 gathered at Pokrova Church for a moving Children Praying for Children event, uniting families in prayer for the more than 19,546 Ukrainian children abducted by Russian forces. A chain of handwritten prayer messages, created by children and their families, served as a powerful symbol of hope and solidarity. The vigil echoed a clear message: children are not bargaining chips. The call for their safe return continues through prayer, advocacy, and action.
The Minneapolis community, led by the newly established UNWLA Branch 148, received a letter from Senator Amy Klobuchar acknowledging the ongoing advocacy efforts of our local community and calling for the return of all Ukrainian children before any peace agreement is signed.
Visit forkids.unwla.org to see all 51 Children Praying for Children events that took place across the U.S.
Thank you to all UNWLA branches and partner organizations who organized Children Praying for Children events across the country. Your dedication, prayers, and public witness have powerfully amplified the call for justice and the safe return of Ukraine’s abducted children. Let us continue our united advocacy until every child is brought home. The world must not look away — together, we will keep raising our voices until all of Ukraine’s children are free.
For media inquires or additional information please contact UNWLA communications manager Anna Bereznyak at communications@unwla.org
