In keeping with Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to pray for peace between Russia and Ukraine, Bishop Alfred Schlert of the Diocese of Allentown participated in a Moleben for Peace in Ukraine on Monday. The bishop joined with other faith leaders of the area.

“Bishop Schlert attended a(n) intercessory prayer service for peace at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church last evening,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “Please continue to pray for peace in the world. #PrayforUkraine.” 

Participating clergy, in addition to Schlert, included Father Edward Higgins of St. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church Bethlehem; Father Paul Makar of Holy Ghost West Easton; Father John Seniw, of St. John the Baptist; Father Oleg Kravchenko of Assumption of the Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox church in Northampton; and Father Richard Kendra’s of the Protection of the Holy Theotokos Allentown, the diocese reported.

A Moleben is a prayer service of intercession or supplication, according to Google Arts and Culture. The Moleben originated in the Slavic culture and is still widely used in Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches, the site said. 

The call for prayers comes after Russian military forces invaded Ukraine in late February. It has since been mounting attacks against the country from the ground and the air, AP News reported. More than 4 million people have fled Ukraine because of the conflict. 

Monday's ceremony came just days after Pope Francis led a ceremony to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday. He invited Catholic bishops throughout the world to conduct similar ceremonies in their dioceses at the same time.