Hanover: Candles and Words for Peace in Ukraine | NDR.de – News
As of: 02/25/2022 6:35 p.m
After Russia invaded Ukraine, the people of Lower Saxony set signs for peace in many places. According to the organizers, 1,600 people took to the streets in Hanover in the evening.
Among other hats Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) spoke at the rally at the Marktkirche. In addition to Weil, Hanover’s Lord Mayor Belit Onay (Greens) and Regional President Steffen Krach (SPD) also had their say. Among others, the state capital and region of Hanover, the “Buntstatt Braun” alliance, the state association of the Jewish communities of Lower Saxony and the state association of the Israeli religious communities as well as the working group of Christian churches in Lower Saxony had invited to the rally on the market square. This was preceded by an interreligious prayer for peace by the Hannover City Church Association and the Council of Religions in the Marktkirche.
Prayers and vigils throughout Lower Saxony
Churches in Lüneburg, Oldenburg, Osnabrück, Braunschweig and Göttingen have also called for prayers for peace. in the Goettingen there were events in the three inner city churches of St. Johannis, St. Jakobi and St. Michael. Many parishes outside of the big cities are also taking part. in the stadium Regional Bishop Hans Christian Brandy participated in an ecumenical prayer service in St. Wilhadi Church. in the Osnabruck organized cross-party four youth organizations rally on the Square of German Unity and sets an example against the war between the cathedral and the theatre.
Bishop Adomeit: “Intolerable idea”
The Evangelical state churches in Lower Saxony had called on their congregations to hold church services at 6 p.m. and to ring the bells beforehand as a widely audible signal against war and for peace, as the Confederation of Evangelical Churches in Lower Saxony announced on Thursday. The four Evangelical-Lutheran regional churches of Braunschweig, Hanover, Oldenburg and Schaumburg-Lippe as well as the Evangelical-Reformed Church based in Leer belong to the confederation. “Many people will lose their lives – through war in Europe,” said the Council Chairman of the Confederation, Oldenburg’s Bishop Thomas Adomeit. “It’s an unbearable thought.” The devotions and prayers for peace could be a place of encounter for all those who are looking for consolation in the face of the terrible news – combined with the hope of “finding words in all speechlessness”, says Adomeit.
Silent march in Osnabrück on Saturday
Bishop Franz-Josef Bode called on all parishes in the Catholic diocese of Osnabrück to pray for peace in Ukraine over the weekend. to die Osnabrück Peace Initiative will am Saturday demonstrate in the city. Ah 11:30 a.m Begins a prayer for peace in St. Mary’s Church. According to their information, the meeting point for a silent march to Jürgensort followed by a vigil is on Saturday 11:45 a.m am Osnabrück town hall. The organizers demand, among other things, the immediate withdrawal of the entire Russian military from Ukraine and humanitarian aid for the population. Further solidarity rallies are also in on Saturday during the day Lingen (Emsland) and Vechta planned.
Jever Castle should shine in blue and yellow
in the ever (District of Friesland) should the castle on Saturday between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m be illuminated in the Ukrainian national colors blue and yellow. Ah 7.30 p.m find one there rally instead of. People are invited to set a sign for peace together in Jever, also with a candle, says district administrator Sven Ambrosy (SPD). As a further sign of solidarity, some cities are flagging their town halls with the Czech national flag – for example in Oldenburg.
Peace prayers in Hildesheim Cathedral
Am Sunday will it be in Hildesheim Cathedral Ah 6 p.m give a prayer. “We would like to pray in solidarity with the people who are directly affected by the war in Ukraine and are exposed to great suffering,” said Auxiliary Bishop Heinz-Günter Bongartz. Nationwide, the churches in Germany have called for ecumenical prayers for peace in Ukraine on Sunday evening. City and county too stadium want to give people the opportunity to express their solidarity with the Ukrainians. They organize one vigil am Sunday Ah 12 p.m. on the square “Am Sande” in Stade.
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Anti-war protests on Thursday
On Thursday evening around 300 exiled Ukrainians protested in Hanover against the attack on their homeland. With chants they demanded an immediate withdrawal of the Russian troops. In Braunschweig, according to the police, around 200 people followed the call by the “Free Ukraine” association to a rally on Schlossplatz. In Osnabrück, the town hall was illuminated in blue and yellow. According to a city spokesman, around 300 people gathered to express their solidarity with the people of Ukraine, including Osnabrück’s mayor Katharina Pötter (CDU) and the district administrator for the Osnabrück district, Anna Kebschull (Greens). People also held vigils in other cities such as Wilhelmshaven and Uelzen.
Ukrainians bitten for support for refugees
The Ukrainian association in Lower Saxony called for the demonstration in Hanover. “Many families are affected. There is a lot of fear in Ukraine,” said its chairwoman Okzana Janzen. Many people are trying to get themselves and their loved ones to safety. The Ukrainian pastor Roman Maksymtsiv, who said a prayer, said on the sidelines of the event: “We shouldn’t just pray together for peace. I hope that we will all stand by the side of the refugees when they come.” It is important “that we actively help and provide them with medical and pastoral care,” says Maksymtsiv.
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