On August 1, the Polish Orthodox Church held memorial services across its parishes to honor those who perished during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. This significant event, which is highlighted on the website of the Polish Orthodox Church, marked the 80th anniversary of one of the largest military uprisings in Nazi-occupied Europe.

The Warsaw Uprising began on August 1, 1944, and lasted for 63 brutal days. It was a heroic but tragic effort, resulting in immense loss of life and the near-total destruction of Warsaw. Approximately 200,000 civilians lost their lives in the fighting and subsequent reprisals.

Commemorative activities commenced on July 30 at the Warsaw Uprising Museum with a solemn meeting between the surviving insurgents, the President of Poland, and the Mayor of Warsaw. During the ceremony, state awards were presented to participants of the uprising and those dedicated to preserving its memory. On July 31, a ceremonial gathering took place at Krasinski Square to honor the fallen heroes.

On August 1, a solemn liturgy was held at the Warsaw Metropolitan Cathedral, including prayers for the departed and for the health of the surviving insurgents. The cathedral's rector, along with several priests, conducted a memorial service at the monument for the fallen. A prayer service was also held at a memorial plaque on Saints Cyril and Methodius Street, where 17 students and faculty members of the Orthodox Theological Faculty of Warsaw University were executed in the early days of the uprising.

Additionally, memorial services were held in other churches across Warsaw, notably at the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, which stands on the site of a church destroyed during the 1944 battles. During the bombings, Father Jerzy Lototski, the chapel's rector, and his family were killed under the rubble of the parish house. This year, Father Lototski was posthumously awarded an order in recognition of his sacrifice.

These observances, organized by the Warsaw Center of Saints Cyril and Methodius, underscore the enduring importance of the Warsaw Uprising in Polish history and the significant role of the Orthodox Church in commemorating this tragic yet pivotal moment. The memorial services serve not only as a tribute to the fallen but also as a reminder of the resilience and unity of the Polish people during one of the darkest chapters of their history.