A Prayer Tent Works on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv

December 9, 2013 · Kyiv, Denominations, Vestibule, Ukraine, Church

Since December 5, an Interfaith Prayer Tent has been operating on Independence Square in Kyiv. Set up by a group of evangelical Christians, it aims to unite all caring believers who decided to join the protests.

The tent was erected near the monument marking the capital’s geographical center, not far from the Main Post Office. Inside, the small tent is already equipped with benches and heating. You can have tea and cookies here. The prayer tent seeks to express solidarity among all Christian traditions and serve as a rallying point for believers, especially during daily prayers at 20:00.

The idea of creating such a gathering place emerged after the nighttime crackdown and beating of Euromaidan activists. Three activists came together – pastor of the “New Life” Church Oleg Magdych, Andrey Shekhovtsov, and UETS Vice-Rector for Public Relations Oles Dmytrenko. They decided to do more for the Maidan, so first came joint prayers and then the tent.

Interestingly, on the first evening, an Orthodox priest, Father Oleksa, joined the common prayer (which drew several hundred people), after which it was decided to make the tent interfaith, once again underscoring the importance of solidarity among all Ukrainian Christians. Anyone who wishes can come here, talk about spiritual matters, pray, and feel calmer.

Also, on the association’s official website, online volunteer registration is available, where volunteers can choose the most convenient time and type of help.

The main organizers’ expectations for the future of the Maidan differ, but they agree that the principal change has already taken place in human souls and hearts. Thus, Oleg Magdych is certain: however it all ends, for very good or very ill, it must still lead to a change of power.

Immediately, Oles Dmytrenko took the floor, explaining that one should not wait for change – it has been happening and is happening right now. “The Maidan will not lead – it has already led and will continue to lead to the birth and formation of a free, highly civilized, morally strengthened Ukrainian people. It has been born and formed since 1991. 2004 became a catalyst for active progress. But now is the most important stage. This is a new powerful wave, independent of politicians’ geopolitical impulses. So I want people to hear about this,” he stressed.

At the same time, Andrey Shekhovtsov added that there is also skepticism: when there is no action plan, the value of a person going out to declare his position and being ready to do something is lost. “But I think the main Rubicon has been crossed,” concludes one of the tent’s initiators hopefully.

According to him, two scenarios are possible: a very good one (the resignation of the authorities, impeachment of the president, or holding early elections) and a normal one (reaching agreements at the political level, with the government’s resignation as a minimum). In his view, the main thing is that thanks to the Maidan, the 2015 elections will be completely different, not the technical ones they likely would have been.

Oles Dmytrenko also predicts a reformation of church leadership after the mass protests, when church leaders will be forced to answer the question: who they really work for. This is already beginning to happen, and the dividing line is whether a community works for the “Soviet system” or its leaders are independent and free.

“I hope Christians will recognize their position as a civic one and cease being a light only inside the church, but become a light to others beyond its walls,” adds pastor Oleg. “Here questions are being posed to politicians. And prayers during the protests help us understand that we are God’s children on this earth.”

Interestingly, the tent community also invites discussion. For instance, one recent topic was the biblical command to “submit to authority.” Andrey Shekhovtsov believes there should be no blind submission, because that is not what Holy Scripture called for, but rather to reason about those who govern people. “There is a mistaken understanding or people simply don’t reflect on these words. It is only now that the reflection is beginning, because the influence of the Union is still too strong in people’s minds, when one had to obey the authorities unquestioningly.”

The project’s initiators call on all Christians to come to the tent, unite in common prayer, and discuss various issues. Moreover, anyone who wishes can receive a free copy of the Gospel or the New Testament. We add that the main common prayer takes place daily at 20:00.

THE PRAYER TENT ON MAIDAN HAS BECOME BIGGER, AND THE PRAYER HOTTER

The interfaith prayer tent set up on Independence Square in Kyiv near the Main Post Office has expanded. This was reported by one of its organizers, pastor of the “New Life” Church Oleg Magdych.

намет.jpg “We have a new big Prayer Tent!” he wrote on his Facebook page. As a reminder, the first tent was brought from Lviv and then set up next to the geographical monument.

According to the project initiators, now that security forces have been pulled in, more and more people are arriving at the Maidan, primarily Kyiv residents. At the same time, prayers are continually going on in the tent, which are ‘especially fervent’.

The atmosphere remains calm. Women and other activists approach the fighters, trying to feed them with Maidan supplies, but they refuse.

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