UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE
UOC of the USA Delivers Assistance to Donetsk Region of Ukraine
A small village in Donetsk region of Eastern Ukraine became a recipient of a generous donation of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Society of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA – 30 tons of coal was purchased in order to provide warm winter season environment for about 111 residents of a charitable elderly assisted living facility that provides residence for people that range in between 60-90 years of age.
Several months ago, the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA became aware of numerous requests for assistance from the elderly residents of Mercy House in Hrekovo-Oleksandrivka village of Donetsk region. Upon learning and examining the physical location of the elderly residence house outside of the active military conflict war zone, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Bishop Daniel approached the leadership of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Society with the request for financial assistance to the Mercy House. Protodeacon Ihor Mahlay, director of the Consistory Office of Christian Charity, who also serves as President of St. Andrew’s Society, upon consulting with the Executive Board of the Central Organization of the UOC of the USA, immediately committed themselves to provide financial and material support to the elderly and children of the region in need.
Thirty tons of coal, diapers and basic food items were provided to the charitable house of hospitality in Eastern Ukraine, which is under the spiritual care of Donetsk Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate). When one faces the expressions of tears and pain, loneliness and poverty – the very often artificially created boundaries of political and ecclesiastical divisions fall apart – after all, we are called to care for those that are less fortunate than us regardless of their political, residential and ecclesiastical affiliation. After all we are called to share our time, talents and treasures with God’s creation.
Transferring the funds to various institutions in Ukraine, Bishop Daniel stated: “…Whether it is a clothing item, or trucks full of coal, diapers, food items, medication – these are the means by which the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA reaches to her brethren in Ukraine in time of need and offers a hand filled with the expressions of love. This is the commitment of our forefathers from the USA, who left their ancestral homeland Ukraine decades ago and instilled the love for those in need among their children in America. It is also a commitment of so many different generations of the clergy and faithful of the Church, who come from different backgrounds and paths of life. It is a commitment of the Body of Christ to care for God’s creation not only in Ukraine – but in every place, where the tragedy occurs and the means of assistance become a reality. For years, the UOC of the USA has been participating in numerous charitable outreach programs in Ukraine, the United States of America, Middle East, etc. Whenever the tragedy strikes – the compassionate faithful heart of Ukrainian Orthodox Christian opens the doors for the expression of a humble charitable act of kindness in the name of Christ the Savior.”
Since the initial appeal of the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA that was issued about a year ago, and through the generosity of the clergy and faithful of the Church $250,000 was delivered and distributed to those in need. The faithful have always responded with much Christian love to such appeals and we offer gratitude for such gestures of love.
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