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

2010 Mission Team of Students Leaves for the 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 eight college age students-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 (Zhytomyr region) and Znamyanka (Kirovohrad region), Ukraine.

These adopted orphanages house special needs children ranging in age from 3-18.  The team will be in Ukraine through June 20th.  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 Bohdan Billy of St. Katherine Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Arden Hills, MN; Aleksandra Huscha of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago, IL;  Fernando Melnychenko of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Silver Spring, MD; Mongomery Swann of St. Michael/St. George Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Minneapolis, MN; Seminarians Subdeacons Vasyl Pasakas and Vasyl Dovgan of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Bound Brook, NJ; Tatianna Palylyk of Protection of the Birth-Giver of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mount Kisco, NY and Alexandra Holowatij of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, Mishawaka, IN.

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 return.