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In Kyiv, a minute of silence was observed in Independence Square in memory of the fallen soldiers
, 11:04, 01.10.2023
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
In Kyiv, a solemn minute of silence was observed at 9:00 a.m. on Independence Square to honor fallen soldiers. Attendees included a woman who moved from an occupied area to Chernivtsi.
A minute of silence on Independence Square in Kyiv on October 1, 2023
In Kyiv, at 9:00 a.m., a solemn minute of silence was observed on Independence Square to honor the memory of the fallen soldiers.
One of the attendees shared her poignant motivation for being present, expressing:
"I came here to raise the flag and pay homage to the memory of my dear friend Amin from Kherson Oblast, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the conflict".
She further revealed that she and her friends had previously resided in an occupied area but had since relocated to the Chernivtsi region. In Chernivtsi, she diligently observed a daily moment of remembrance for the fallen soldiers, a practice she continued in Kyiv.
"When customers visited the cafe where I worked, they often didn't understand our devotion to this cause. Nevertheless, we firmly believed that paying tribute to these brave individuals was the least we could do. We made the collective decision to come to Kyiv, raise our flag, and pay our respects to those who had earned our unwavering admiration. We hope that our actions help people understand, remember, and forever appreciate the tremendous sacrifices made."
Another participant, Daria, hailing from Mariupol, shared her sentiments. She had left the city, which is currently under occupation, just two days prior to the full-scale invasion. Daria expressed her deep gratitude towards those who had defended her city and the entirety of Ukraine.
She stated, "Since 2014, every loss, every hero, has weighed heavily on my heart. It is of utmost significance to me".
It is noteworthy that the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, originally celebrated on October 14, 2015, coincided with the feast of the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, revered as the patroness of Ukrainian Cossacks. Moreover, October 14 also marks the official founding day of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
In 2021, this significant holiday underwent a transformation, becoming known as Defenders' Day. Subsequently, following the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's adoption of the New Julian calendar, it was moved to October 1.
Furthermore, it is pertinent to mention that Teroborona fighters, on the first Sunday of October, celebrate their professional holiday, an event that was introduced in 2020.
