On May 31, Odesa hosted the 6th Odesa Region Prayer Breakfast — Black Sea Prayer Breakfast, which this year became the largest regional event of its kind in Ukraine. The gathering united representatives from the southern regions — Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia — along with distinguished guests from European countries and the United States.
This year’s breakfast in Odesa was especially significant. Among the guests were Gary Palmer, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Chair of the Republican Policy Committee; Mark Pritchard, Member of the UK Parliament; representatives of diplomatic missions, Ukrainian MPs, clergy, military personnel, civic leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Veniamin Unguryan, Deputy Head of the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance and Member of the Odesa Regional Council, emphasized:
“Odesa region is a land of many nations and faiths. And it is here, during wartime, that the tradition of interregional spiritual solidarity is being strengthened. By gathering here today, we initiated a new level of cooperation — where prayer and faith become the basis for real decisions, partnerships, and support.”
The participants prayed together for Ukraine, for the Odesa region, and for the defenders who hold the line at the cost of their lives. A charity collection was held to support the families of fallen soldiers and seriously wounded Ukrainian servicemen. The event also included informal networking that helped strengthen interregional and international ties.
Pavlo Unguryan, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance and coordinator of the Prayer Breakfast movement in Ukraine, said:
“We see how deep spiritual values unite countries, regions, people of different views and faiths. Today’s Black Sea Prayer Breakfast is a sign that the Black Sea region can be an example of spiritual unity, partnership, and a dignified future. In this time of trial, we must hold not only weapons, but also to faith and to the values that make us human.”
Prayer breakfasts are an international tradition that for more than 70 years have united societies around the values of peace, freedom, faith, and dignity. In Ukraine, this tradition has taken root both nationally and regionally. Each year, it reaffirms that despite the challenges, Ukrainians maintain the ability to rally around spiritual and moral foundations.
This year’s event took place in a warm and focused atmosphere, combining solemnity and sincerity. The 6th Odesa Region Prayer Breakfast stands as further proof: unity is possible when there is shared prayer, shared hope, and shared service.
