Holodomor Memorial Day is observed each year on the fourth Friday of November as a Day of Remembrance. On this day, we honour the millions of Ukrainians who died during the man-made famine of 1932 and 1933, many of whom were children.
Holodomor was a human-made famine that occurred in Soviet Ukraine as a result of Joseph Stalin’s policies, including forced collectivization and excessive grain requisition. These actions devastated the agricultural sector and led to the deliberate withholding of food from the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainian peasantry bore the brunt of this suffering, and millions lost their lives.
Through Acts of Parliament, the Government of Canada recognizes the Holodomor as an act of genocide. Together with the descendants of survivors living in Canada, we remember the victims and reflect on the importance of standing against hatred, injustice, and the dehumanization of any people. This tragedy has had a lasting impact on Ukrainian identity and history and continues to call us to solidarity, compassion, and justice.
Let us unite in prayer for those who suffered and for peace in our world today.
Holodomor Memorial Day Prayer
Father of mercies,
we remember today our brothers and sisters who suffered and died of starvation and genocide in Ukraine.
We pray for the repose of their souls
and that their suffering and death be a reminder to us
of our own duty to overcome evil with good.
We continue to pray for peace and for an end to conflict.
Shower all people with your strength and protection,
so that we may once again know the freedom of peace and love.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
Amen.
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