Ukrainian Tryzub Stained-Glass Window Project

On the 75th anniversary of V-E Day, 8 May 2020, at 3:30 pm, St James’s Church in Sussex Gardens, London W2, will unveil a new stained-glass window in its South Vestibule. The window depicts a sunflower, symbolic of light and life, intertwined with the Tryzub or Trident, Ukraine’s national symbol and Coat of Arms. This is something we can all take pride in as part of the history of the Ukrainian community, and this is your opportunity to contribute to that history.

The window is being installed in gratitude to St. James’s Church for the benevolence it showed to Ukrainian-Canadian servicemen and others of Ukrainian descent during and after the Second World War, who served under British Command and many of whom made the supreme sacrifice. If you want to help commemorate these brave men and women, or pay tribute to a parent, grandparent or other relative who was part of this community, please give generously!

Having a church stained-glass window depicting the Ukrainian Tryzub is a major historic event in this country: the window will remain in situ for decades, if not centuries to come. The church is visited by many tourists who will continuously be reminded of the sacrifices that our Ukrainian founding fathers made for peace and freedom.

The window will commemorate the efforts of the heroic Ukrainian Canadians who served voluntarily and defended Great Britain during WWII in the ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Ukrainians serving in the Polish Armed Forces under British Command, who in 1945 initiated the formation of AUGB, based at Sussex Gardens until 1947. They went on jointly to provide relief and resettlement for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian displaced persons and political refugees.

This is an initiative involving the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation, St. James’s Church, and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain. The funds raised will help the organisers to cover costs associated with the unveiling ceremony, including the placement of a plaque to explain the significance of the window, commemorative publications and a recording of the event, amongst other things, to ensure that this historic event is given the attention and publicity it deserves.

The AUGB is the largest representative body for Ukrainians and those of Ukrainian descent in the UK which exists to develop, promote and support the interests of the Ukrainian community in the UK, including raising awareness about significant historical links between Ukrainians and the UK.