Human Chain on Williamsburg Streets Prays for Peace in Ukraine

Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish, this morning led a Human chain from Annunciation Roman Catholic Church, corner of North 5th and Havemeyer Streets, to Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, located at North 5th Street and Driggs Avenue, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

Following a moment of silence, the Annunciation Church bells rang, and the march began, led by the American, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian flags. A prayer service was held outside the Church immediately following Mass celebrated by Ukrainian Catholic Church Bishop Paul Chomnycky of the Eparchy of Stamford. Frank Carone, Chief of Staff to Mayor Eric Adams, was among the guest speakers.

“We come here today to show our support, as we did when the war broke out a couple of months ago, and you came to us and we prayed together for your friends, your family, and your homeland. Even though we are very far away, we are united in prayer that this war will end and that we will stay united in peace, in love, and in faith,” said Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello standing on the steps of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church.

The prayer service also recognized Ukrainian Independence Day, celebrated earlier this week on August 24th, and promoted continued solidarity in word, song, and prayer, among the people of Brooklyn and Ukraine.