Okanagan church leader asks people to pray for Ukraine

A leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Vernon, said “tensions are very high” for people with relatives in Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

Reverend Chad Pawlyshyn estimated there are as many as 20,000 people in the Okanagan and Thompson areas who identify as Ukrainian, and many are them are worried.

“I’ve been in contact with various people, some parishioners who have family directly there,” he told Vernon Matters. “The stress, the tensions are very high. Many people, if they are not trying to get out of the country right now for safety, they are kind of hunkering down. They are putting themselves in a safe position where they are.”

Pawlyshyn said Ukraine residents are waiting to see what happens next, both internationally and within Ukraine.

He doesn’t think the sanctions imposed by the U.S., Canada and other countries will have much impact on stopping Russian President Vladamir Putin and his invasion.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

17h ago

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

“I think they have already made their plans. They knew the sanctions were going to be coming should they move ahead with this.”

Ukrainian Orthodox Church on 27th Street in Vernon (Submitted photo/Facebook/UOC)

Pawlyshyn said the church, which is located at 4105 27th Street near Seaton School, will hold a gathering this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. for the public to attend.

“There will be some prayers in the church and an opportunity for people to show their support and to pray for Ukraine,'” he explained. “It’s an open invitation to the community because really it’s important that we really show unity on this because it shows that Ukraine is not alone and that there is more than just one country being affected here; it’s the world that will be affected down the road, of course.”

Father Chad Pawlyshyn of Ukrainian Orthodox Church. (Photo credit: Thompson Rivers University)

The reverend, who also serves the Kelowna and Kamloops areas, asked that people show their support for Ukrainians.

“I’m asking for prayers for Ukraine, for the people, during this difficult time.”

Canada has announced more severe sanctions on Russia for its invasion into Ukraine, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling an “unjustifiable and unprovoked attack.”

The new sanctions target 58 people and entities connected to Russia, including members of the country’s elite and their families and key cabinet ministers.

Trudeau said the government is also giving priority and accelerating immigration applications for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada.

U.S. President Joe Biden is sending more troops to Germany to bolster NATO forces following the Russian invasion.

He said President Vladimir Putin chose this war and that both Putin and Russia will bear the consequences of new sanctions.

The United Nations is freeing up $20 million in urgent humanitarian funding for Ukraine.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging Putin to pull back his forces, saying it’s not too late to save this generation from the scourge of war.

(With files from The Canadian Press)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]