SHARJAH // Tearful Russian expatriates attended a memorial service on Sunday morning for the 62 people killed on FlyDubai flight FZ981.
Candles were lit and prayers were offered at St Philip the Apostle Russian Orthodox Church in Sharjah. As mourners sat with heads bowed, praying and crying, women recited melodic verses as the priest read out the crash victims’ names.
On Saturday, the plane crashed and exploded in bad weather on arrival at Rostov-on-Don, about 950 kilometres south of Moscow.
Ella Ershova drove from Ras Al Khaimah to attend.
“We heard the news yesterday, and our family have been saddened by the death of our countrymen,” said the 28-year-old, who was accompanied by her daughter Maria.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to the families in these dark times. It’s a tragic accident. Everyone in our community has been shocked since we heard the news on Saturday.”
On the day of the crash, the church held a service after calls started coming in about the accident, said archimandrite Aleksander Zarkeshev.
“Our members and community started reaching out to one another to make sure they and their relatives were fine and had not lost a family member in the tragic accident,” he said.
Olga Lagutenko went with her friend from Dubai to say a prayer for her mother. “Today’s the anniversary of my mother’s death. I came here to pray for her and to take part in the memorial service for the passengers of FlyDubai flight, may they rest in peace,” said the 31-year-old Russian.
The service was not limited to the Russian community as sisters Diana and Aya Maher from the neighbouring Coptic Church attended to light candles and say a prayer for the victims.
“We heard about the FlyDubai crash and I felt it is necessary to convey my condolences to the church and the Russian community,” said Diana, a 14-year-old Egyptian.
Thirteen-year-old Aya called the news shocking. “We had to pray and light a candle for the people who died in the crash.”
Areg Popoyan said he felt compelled to attend. “This is my first time in the church here in Sharjah. I felt it was my duty to pray for my countrymen who lost their lives in the accident,” said the 29-year-old local resident.
“The news was shocking to our community, and everyone I know is praying for the families.”
Father Aleksander used the service to urge people to keep the families of the victims in their prayers.
“Today’s service was an emotional service for our brothers and sisters, and we are sure those who perished are now with God.”
tzriqat@thenational.ae
