The local tribute will come 24 hours earlier.

The third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is Monday, Feb. 24. 

But the day before in Vernon91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ Sunday, Feb. 23 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Thompson Okanagan will hold a special event at a Vernon church to mark the anniversary, and everyone is invited.

"We will pay tribute to the courage of the Ukrainian people and honour the memory of the thousands of innocent people murdered by Russia91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine," said Vernon's Andrea Malysh, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Thompson Okanagan.

"May the memory of the victims be eternal."

All are welcome to join the prayer service and luncheon in Vernon on Sunday, Feb. 23, at St. Josaphat91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2210-40th Ave.

The Church Service - Divine Liturgy begins at 10 a.m. and it, along with the Prayer Service - Panachyda at 11 a.m. are bilingual.

Participants may then head downstairs for lunch (by donation) at around 11:15 a.m., and a special short program involving local dignitaries is scheduled for 11:45 a.m.

Those who would like to attend are asked to RSVP by Feb. 18, via email, to .