The University of Santo Tomas makes a “stand for peace” as they lit the Main Building, Arch of the Centuries, and Santisimo Rosario Parish Church blue and yellow—the colors of the Ukraine flag—on August 23 and 24.
The country’s oldest university has decided to take this stand to “symbolize the hopes and prayers for peace in Ukraine and in the world.”
Ukraine Independence Day is celebrated every August 24.
On this day, the University started activities by playing Ukraine’s national anthem after its 6:00 PM Angelus before lighting the landmarks. The lights were visible until 9:00 PM and will remain visible from that same time period at night until this Friday, August 26.
Ukraine flaglets were also placed at the UST Plaza Mayor lamp posts with the word “мир” which means “peace” in the Ukrainian language. The sign is very visible in front of the Arch of the Centuries.
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv banned public celebrations of Independe from Soviet rule this week due to a threat of attack warned by a U.S. official, according to a Reuters report.
On February 24, 2022, Ukraine was invaded by Russian troops. The conflict between the two countries remains unresolved and the war continues.
Image credits: Fr. Dexter A. Austria, O.P.