Rochesterians praying for Ukraine in rallies

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Ukrainian community members in Rochester spent the day marching and praying for war to end.

Ukrainian friends and family went into St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church holding each other, praying for their country. One family broke down in tears, explaining their worries, but also about how supportive the Rochester community is.

"Support each other, all our families and friends, Rochester has a big Ukrainian community and you can see that,” said Sophia Wasylko, who has family in Ukraine.

She was headed into the church to pray Saturday night with her father, Michael Wasylko.

"Keep our family members and our country fellowmen and women in prayers and don’t let this continue,” Michael said.

The Wasylko’s were a few of many, who have family in Ukraine and took to the streets of Rochester to share their fear for their country.

"Putin wants to bring back the fold into his territory, and who says he’s not going to go after, Estonia, Latvia and the other countries? We have to stop him,” Michael added.

Many who marched from the Federal Building on State Street to City Hall Saturday afternoon walked into St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Irondequoit Saturday evening night to pray. Event organizers of the march say the "fear factor" for them has really taken over, but they’ll stay strong.

"I have a lot of family with young children some who slept in bomb shelters the other night, others that don’t know what the next day is going to bring," said Solomia Lava, an organizer with ROD Maiden. "I think that’s something everyone is scared of now.”

Mayor Malik Evans was out with the crowd and spoke at the rising of the Ukrainian flag at city hall.

"We condemn this atrocity in uncertain terms we say to Vladimir Putin, get your troops out of a sovereign free country," Evans said.

Michael and Sophia say the nation wide support gives them hope.

"We were in Washington D.C. the other day and NYC and every one – this whole country is rallying around us,” Michael added.

A man who identifies as a "Russian American"didn’t want to go on camera, but he did tell News10NBC that he, too, is upset over this war and is praying for peace.