Victims of Babyn Yar Honored in Kyiv on the 85th Anniversary of the Mass Shootings
On September 29, a prayer service was held in Kyiv to commemorate the victims of Babyn Yar, marking the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the mass shootings on September 29–30, 1941. Along with representatives of government authorities and religious leaders, representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church took part in the event, including Fr. Ihor Shaban, Chairman of the UGCC Commission on Interfaith and Interreligious Relations.
The commemoration was organized by the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory in cooperation with the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience and the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve.
“Today, 85 years after the Babyn Yar tragedy, we have come here once again to honor the memory of the innocent victims,” said Father Ihor Shaban.
According to him, for Kyiv, Ukraine, and all of Europe, Babyn Yar remains a painful reminder of where hatred can lead when human life is no longer valued.
The representative of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church emphasized that, on behalf of the Church, he was praying together with all those present for the victims, their families, and those who survived the tragedy. He also expressed hope that the memory of Babyn Yar would help build a society in which every person has the right to life and dignity.
During the event, participants prayerfully honored the memory of the Jews of Kyiv, prisoners of war, Ukrainians, and representatives of other nations—all innocent victims of Nazi terror.
In the prayer, those who risked their own lives to save the persecuted were also gratefully remembered. In particular, the prayer mentioned Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, who helped save those condemned to death.
“May their example remind us even today that true humanity knows no religious or national boundaries,” the prayer stated.
At the conclusion of the commemoration, participants lit candles at the monument to the victims of Babyn Yar.
The UGCC Department for Information
