Church Leaders in Ireland have offered a united message of support to the people of Ukraine.
They have used their Easter Message to call on Christians to pray for peace and to support the injured and bereaved.
The war in Ukraine has overshadowed Holy week for many Christians across the world.
On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis appealed for an Easter truce and for all men and women to unite in prayer and on political leaders to back down and scale back military and political objectives.
Church Leaders in Ireland are the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell; Archbishop Eamon Martin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland; Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Revd Dr David Bruce; Revd Dr Sahr Yambasu, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and President of the Irish Council of Churches, Revd Andrew Forster.
Congregations will gather in churches nationwide to mark Easter for the first time this week, since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
In their statement, the Church Leaders noted that in the last two years, people had supported one another "to fight a very different battle", against the virus.
"Our journey with coronavirus has taught us much and thankfully there are good signs of recovery. We are conscious too that for many the effects of the virus continue.
"Many have been very ill, others have suffered the pain of bereavement without family and friends being able to gather for the funeral, others live with the effects of the last two years on mental health or economic circumstances. We have all learnt much about our vulnerability and the fragile nature of human life."
They have asked that the Easter message of hope, will be heard and realised in Ukraine.
In a joint message between the Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell and the Roman Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin this week, it was pointed out that the Carol of the Bells traditionally sung at Christmas, had its origins in a Ukrainian folk song, which in ancient times was sung to mark the beginning of spring.
It tells the tale of a swallow flying into a home after winter to promise the family a new season of joy, happiness and plenty.
The Archbishops expressed hope and promise of Easter peace could never be extinguished by war or hatred.
The world's third-largest group of Christian believers, Orthodox Christians follow a different calendar and will celebrate Easter on 24 April.
It is understood that nearly 70% of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christian.
