A candlelight vigil in support of Ukraine is being held in Timmins this week.
It's taking place Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Hollinger Park parking lot and is being organized by the Ukrainian Cultural Group of Timmins.
"It gives us the opportunity to gather as a community and to reflect on what’s going on in Ukraine. We are here to show support to the Ukranian community as many of them do have family in Ukraine. And just to show the world that we stand with Ukraine,” said Helen Yaschyshyn, president of the cultural group.
Candles will be distributed at the vigil or people can bring their own.
Yaschyshyn said it will be a short ceremony — about 30 minutes — with a few speakers and the national anthems of Canada and Ukraine. Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Church priest Father Orlando Stelian Geonea will also lead a prayer.
In Timmins, she estimates that the Ukrainian community is about 400-500 people.
She said everybody's in disbelief about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
There are no expectations for tomorrow's vigil. Everyone who gathers, she said, is there for the same reason.
"That will say enough from the community’s perspective — that we’re in this together and that we’re standing with Ukraine. As the Ukrainian community, we have each other to lean on,” said Yaschyshyn.
