UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
PRESS RELEASE

Mission Team Leaves for Annual Trip to Ukrainian Orphanages!

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in conjunction with Children of Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund has commissioned a team of nine college aged missionaries under the leadership of His Grace Bishop Daniel, the Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA and Carol Skocypec to journey to the Church sponsored orphanages in Puhachiv and Znamyanka, Ukraine.

These adopted orphanages house special needs children ranging in age from 3-18.  The team will be in Ukraine through August 23rd.  While in Ukraine they will spend time ministering to the children by providing them special opportunities such as field trips, spa days and Anointing Services.  The main focus of the missionaries is to show the face of Christ to the children and help to improve their quality of life.

This year’s team in comprised of: Seminarian Vasyl Dovgan (South Bound Brook, NJ), Lara Haluszczak (Pittsburgh, PA), Aleksandra Komichak (Pittsburgh, PA), Andrea Komichak (Parma, OH), Oksana Mahlay (Parma, OH), Mark Meschisen (Woonsocket, RI), Seminarian Subdeacon Vasyl Pasakas (South Bound Brook, NJ), Andrew Zimmerman (Allentown, PA) and Joseph Zimmerman (Allentown, PA).

We ask that you keep this year’s team, the children and staff of the orphanages in your prayers.  An update of the team’s activities will be available at the Consistory website (www.uocofusa.org) after their August 23rd return.