Anglican traditions and child-led prayers
The U.S. National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., worked with the Ukrainian embassy to hold a special All Saints’ Day prayer for the children of Ukraine on Nov. 1. Denys Sienik, acting ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S., said, "Today it is something special because it is about Ukrainian children." He noted the service focuses on children who are no longer with us and those who have been kidnapped by Russia. Sienik said it is vital to tell all Ukrainian children that no one is forgotten. A Kyiv Independent reporter said hundreds of people attended the event. The service used Anglican tradition to combine prayers and Psalms with congregational hymns, as part of the liturgical program. Ukrainian children led parts of the service, which included prayers for peace in Ukraine and prayers from Ukrainian clergy for the people of Ukraine. The cathedral has held two other prayer events for Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022.
Massive scale of child displacement
This service is clearly focused on the massive scale of child displacement, death, and abduction occurring in the region. As of September 2026, Ukraine’s Justice Ministry confirmed 20,610 cases of deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. Human rights groups estimate that hundreds of thousands of children are under Russian control, including those who remain in occupied territories and are at risk of deportation.
| Category of Children | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Confirmed deportations (Justice Ministry) | 20,610 |
| Abducted children (Dmytro Lubinets) | up to 150,000 |
| Abducted children (Daria Herasymchuk) | 200,000 – 300,000 |
| Confirmed killed (United Nations) | more than 3,900 |
While Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets puts the number of abducted children at up to 150,000, Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Daria Herasymchuk provides a significantly higher estimated range of 200,000 to 300,000. The United Nations reports that more than 3,900 children have died in Ukraine since 2022, though the real number is likely higher. These statistics show the heavy toll on children who were moved to Russia or who remain in occupied territories.
