Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit have attended a peace service for Ukraine at Oslo’s Trinity Church.
The Crown Prince Couple joined the clergy of various denominations and Ukrainians in Norway at the service on Tuesday night. Minister of Justice and Emergency Management Emilie Enger Mehl attended on behalf of the Norwegian government.
When the couple arrived, they were greeted by a 13-year-old Ukrainian named Maksym Popil before heading inside for the service.
Secretary General Erhard Hermansen of the Norwegian Christian Council said at the beginning of the service: “We stand together in prayer for peace from many different denominations and official Norway, and we are grateful that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess share and share this important evening with us.”
Norwegian Bible Society’s Bernt Greger Olsen spoke at the service, as did Oslo Bishop Kari Veiteberg and Oslo’s Catholic bishop, Bernt Eidsvig. Prayers were also said for Ukraine before the Nicene Creed was read and the Prayer for Peace for Ukraine.
“Large parts of the civilian population in Ukraine are on the run or have gone into hiding. Many children, women and men suffer and are afraid. More and more deaths are being reported. We will show our support and pray to God for justice and peace,” Pål Kristian Balstad, Trinity Church’s leading priest, said during the service.
Candles were also lit for Ukrainians, with representatives from different denominations lighting a candle. Minister Mehl joined Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in lighting a candle for peace during the service.
Olav Fykse Tveit concluded the service with a few words before exiting in the liturgical procession with the Crown Prince Couple.
The peace service was organised by the Christian Council of Norway and the Trinity Church – the Church of Peace and Reconciliation in Oslo.
