Kyiv, August 28, 2015
Refugee children at the LOGOS Center in Kyiv are drawn to Bishop Daniel, joined by the Very Rev. Mykola Ilnytsky, director of the LOGOS Center.
“I raise my eyes to heaven, praying for peace; I stretch my hands towards heaven, begging for stability and peace…” These were the words of a 13-year-old Mariana, a refugee child from Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as she greeted Bishop Daniel, ruling hierarch of the Western Eparchy and president of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. (UOC-U.S.A) on May 7 at LOGOS Orthodox Christian Center outside of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.
Bishop Daniel was joined by the Very Rev. Bazyl Zawierucha, pastor of Holy Assumption Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Northampton, Pa., and academic dean of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Bound Brook, N.J.
Bishop Daniel prays for a refugee resident of the LOGOS Center in Kyiv.
In addition, while visiting the refugees, Bishop Daniel and the Rev. Zawierucha visited a cancer patient, who recently arrived from Donetsk and presently receives chemotherapy in the center.
Considering the latest escalation of fighting on the eastern front of the armed conflict, the UOC-U.S.A. delegation followed the advice of the local authorities and postponed a visit to the immediate villages around areas such as Debaltsevo and Maryinka.
However, the most recent refugees from these areas benefitted from the visit of the Church’s delegation. Each person and family received monetary support, while the children in residence were treated to ice cream.
Bishop Daniel, escorted by the Rev. Zawierucha, also traveled to the Lviv Military Hospital in order to distribute the additional financial assistance to the wounded soldiers of Ukraine’s armed forces who are undergoing physical, moral and spiritual recovery. Over $5,000 was gifted to the wounded soldiers and their family members.
A refugee speaks with Bishop Daniel.
