Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes
Today, on February 20, Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, a day when we remember those who gave their lives for freedom and dignity during the Revolution of Dignity. This date was established by the Presidential Decree of February 11, 2015 and is an important symbol of national memory.
The feat of the Heavenly Hundred
The events of February 18-20, 2014 were a turning point in the Revolution of Dignity. It was during these days that the largest number of protesters died on Maidan – 78 people, and more than 20 more died of injuries in the following days. In total, the Heavenly Hundred includes 107 people who gave their lives defending the future of Ukraine.
The term “Heavenly Hundred” was first used during the farewell to the fallen on February 21-22, 2014. The name was inspired by the Maidan Self-Defense Hundreds. The Heavenly Hundred included people of different ages, professions, nationalities and religions. The youngest deceased, Nazariy Voitovych, was 17 years old, and the oldest, Ivan Nakonechnyi, was 82 years old. There were three women among the dead: Antonina Dvoryanets, Olga Bura, and Lyudmyla Sheremet.
Recognition of the feat
For their heroism, 105 Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Three more foreigners – Belarusian Mikhail Zhiznevsky and Georgians Zurab Khurtsia and David Kipiani – were awarded the Order of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.
The Revolution of Dignity as a historical stage
On February 17, 2021, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recognized the Revolution of Dignity as one of the key stages in the formation of the state. On the same day, the government approved an action plan to commemorate the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, including the design and construction of the National Memorial Complex of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
In 2024, the commemoration is being held under the slogan “Heroes of the first victory in the ongoing battle,” which echoes the slogan of previous years, “The Heavenly Hundred – the first heroes of the Russian-Ukrainian war.” The graphic symbol of this year’s campaign is an image of Maidan activists with wooden shields, reminiscent of the famous photo of the flag planting on Iwo Jima. The author of the idea is Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Komiakhov.
The role of Christians in the Revolution of Dignity
The Maidan was also a test for the Christians of Ukraine. In those days, their positions were divided into three groups: some believed that they should only pray for the government, others supported peaceful protests, and others actively participated in the struggle, including medical and defense assistance.
Today this division still exists, but the positive thing is that the number of conscious and active Christians has increased. The general attitude to social processes is also changing: more and more believers realize the need to take responsibility for the country and promote changes in society.
Maidan as the beginning of irreversible change
The Revolution of Dignity was not just a protest, but a starting point for profound changes in society. Despite the sacrifices, Ukrainians’ aspirations for freedom, justice, and preservation of national identity have not been broken by any trials. And this struggle continues to this day, calling on everyone to remember the feat of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes and to defend the ideals for which they laid down their lives.
