Kingston, Ont., Ukrainian refugees replicate on one yr of conflict – Kingston | Globalnews.ca

On a gentle Sunday morning in Kingston, Ont., a mix of locals and Ukrainian refugees filed into St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church.

It’s turn out to be a sanctuary for some who arrived in Kingston inside the previous yr throughout an unfathomably horrifying time of their lives.

Sasha Hanzia arrived within the metropolis in October however he mentioned it wasn’t a simple path.

“After fleeing Kyiv, I went to Lviv the place I stayed a few weeks, and after Lviv began getting bombed I took the bus from crimson cross to Poland,” he mentioned, by way of a translator.

From Poland, he got here on to Kingston, the place he’s remained ever since, ready.

He mentioned the neighborhood opened its arms to him and others, and that he’s extremely grateful for the kindness.

Father Roman Rytsar, pastor at St Michael, mentioned Sunday’s service was a particular one at which they honoured those that misplaced their lives within the Ukraine-Russia conflict that started final yr.

“Ukrainians are robust folks, it’s very troublesome to interrupt them,” he mentioned.

Regardless of the phobia they’ve confronted within the final yr, many who attended the service discovered causes to smile, whereas remembering these they’ve misplaced.

“I’m feeling unhealthy for these individuals who couldn’t escape Ukraine, they stayed there, many individuals died underneath bombing,” mentioned Hanzia.

Regardless that he’s in Kingston as a result of his personal life has been turned the other way up, Hanzia’s thoughts was again dwelling, midway the world over.

“I’m glad to return right here to the Ukrainian church to hope for individuals who stayed in Ukraine,”

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