Watch London choir sing a “Prayer for Ukraine”

This 1885 hymn is the spiritual anthem of Ukraine.

One of the premier English chamber choirs, Londinium, has released a new recording of “Prayer for Ukraine.” The song is a 19th-century hymn that has become symbolic of Ukrainian independence. Londinium joined the release with a request for donations to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, which is run by the Disasters Emergency Committee. 

“Prayer for Ukraine” was composed by Mykola Lysenko, in 1885, with lyrics by poet and civil activist Oleksandr Konysky. It became the spiritual anthem of Ukraine during the Ukrainian War of Independence (1917-1920) and has been popularly played at religious services and major national functions ever since.