Just hours after Russia announced its military invasion in Ukraine, news crews at CNN captured this breathtaking moment: seven heavily-bundled citizens in Kharkiv, Ukraine, gathered in the cold, public square and kneeling in prayer together.
CNN correspondent Clarissa Ward commented on the scene, saying “a small group of people have gathered in the main square and they are kneeling and praying, because right now there is truly a sense of having no idea what is coming down the pipeline, what is in store for the people of Ukraine in the coming hours and the coming days. And to see these people kneeling on the cold stone in prayer is honestly—it’s very moving.”
Watch the full video in the player below:
What a moment captured by @clarissaward and her team in Kharkiv.
"A small group of people have gathered in the main square and they are kneeling and praying," Clarissa says. "Because right now there is truly a sense of having no idea what is coming down the pipeline." pic.twitter.com/cAoLi8Euaq— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) February 24, 2022
The Kyiv Ukraine Temple has now been closed until further notice, and Latter-day Saint missionaries were removed from Ukraine in late January. The presidency of the Europe East Area has said that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are fully aware of the current situation in Ukraine, and are closely monitoring and praying for the people there.
Read the First Presidency statement on the armed conflict here.
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