Amidst the continued conflict and destruction in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA has been unwavering in its commitment to providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the ongoing war. Under the guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Archbishop Daniel oversees these efforts, working closely with the Very Rev. Fr. Kostyantyn Kuznetsov, his wife Natalia, and their son, seminarian Dmytro, to bring comfort and relief to those in need. Together, they work with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Serhiy of Mariupol and Donetsk, reaching some of the most devastated regions of eastern Ukraine. 

Fr. Kostyantyn, dean of the Donetsk Deanery of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, has been instrumental in coordinating the delivery of aid to bombed towns and villages such as Kostyantynivka, Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, Petropavlivka, Sviatohirsk, and Rodynsk. With each package of food, medicine, and supplies, he and his team also bring the love of Christ, offering not only material relief but spiritual comfort to those who have lost so much. In a recent update, Fr. Kostyantyn shared these heartfelt words: 

"Today, after the service, our team worked all day. We have everything as usual: packaging, distribution. During the whole day working with people, you will hear many life stories, and all of them are difficult, full of pain and tears. Our mission is to help and comfort a person, to sow a flame of hope."

The physical needs of the Ukrainian people remain great, but the spiritual mission - to offer hope and healing in the name of Christ—stands at the heart of this humanitarian ministry. Even in the face of danger, as drones fly overhead and alarms sound, the Church presses on, laboring tirelessly for those displaced, wounded, and suffering. 

Archbishop Daniel has reflected on these efforts with deep gratitude, offering this response: 

"With a heart filled with love and appreciation, I thank Very Rev. Fr. Kostyantyn Kuznetsov, his family, and all those working in the Donetsk region for their incredible dedication and ministry to the people of Ukraine. The work you are doing is more than delivering food or supplies—it is bringing the presence of God into the lives of those who feel abandoned and lost. Your hands are Christ's hands, your love is His love, and through you, God is at work in the world."

"I also want to extend my profound thanks to the clergy, faithful, and friends of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, especially St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish of Hillsborough, NJ, and its pastor, Rev. Fr. Hank Hilton. Your cooperation and financial assistance have been a source of strength and sustenance for our humanitarian efforts. Together, we are accomplishing great things for the people of Ukraine, offering them not only help but hope."

"But let us not stop here, my dear brothers and sisters. The need is still great, and our efforts must continue. As Fr. Kostyantyn has so poignantly shared, the people we serve are filled with pain and tears, and it is our sacred responsibility to bring them comfort. Do not grow weary in well-doing. Each donation, each act of kindness, each prayer offered is a lifeline to someone in need. Remember, 'Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me' (Matthew 25:40). Let us persevere, knowing that God blesses our every effort and that through our collective work, we will one day see peace and healing in Ukraine." 

The tireless work of the UOC of the USA has not gone unnoticed by those on the ground in Ukraine. In a recent message, Fr. Kostyantyn expressed his gratitude for the continued support from Archbishop Daniel and the entire congregation: 

"Yesterday we had a very busy and difficult day. We work 24/7. Thanks to the entire congregation of the UOC of the USA, we met the truck again, unloaded, packaged, and quickly distributed between the alarms to the needy, displaced persons, and the wounded."

"During the day, drones fly over the city, there have been repeated shellings, there are buried and wounded. And so it continues every day, every night... Even now, as I write this post, I can hear the alarm sounding. Yet, we work and pray.

Together we are stronger and can do even more acts of charity—this makes our work more fruitful. Our goal is to work for the people and for Victory!"

These powerful words serve as a reminder of the immense challenges faced by the Ukrainian people and the tireless efforts of the Church to provide for their needs. Yet, the message is clear: together, we can accomplish much. Together, we can bring hope where there is despair. 

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA calls upon all its faithful, friends, and benefactors to continue supporting these efforts. Now is not the time to grow weary, but to press on with even greater determination, knowing that through our collective prayers and financial contributions, we are helping to carry the burden of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. 

May the Lord bless every act of kindness, every donation, and every prayer offered. In these difficult times, we stand united in Christ, working for the people of Ukraine and the ultimate victory of peace and justice.