UOC Primate Took Part in Opening of Monument to Philantropist Nikola Tereshchenko

On June 20, the eve of the Health Professional’s Day (marked on June 21) in the territory of Academic-practical Center of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardio Surgery (Chornovola str., 28/1) with participation of Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Volodymyr the solemn opening of the monument to philanthropist and honorable citizen of Kyiv Nikola Artemiyovych Tereshchenko.

Taking part in the action on behalf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were secretary for the Primate of the UOC Bishop Alexander of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi, Bishop Panteleimon of Vasylkiv, chair of the Synodal Department “Mission of Socila Aid to Children” and member of the Patronage Committee of the Cardiologic Center archimandrite Philaret (Kucherov).

Also attending the festivities were representatives of the authorities: deputy mayor Irena Kilchytska, and head of the regional city administration of Kyiv Victor Pylypyshyn.

Before the official part began, the Archpastor looked over the medical institution and followed the so-called “patient’s way”. In particular, he visited atrium, the stationary department, operating suites and reanimation department, where he blessed the parents of the children, who now undergo medical treatment.

The official part was opened by the introductory word of the Director of the Center Illya Emets, who told of the large-scale charitable activitythat Nikola Tereshchenko and the members of his family performed.

Then the solemn opening of the monument to Nikola Artemiyovych Tereshchenko was held.

During the ceremony His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr performed memorial service for the commemorable philanthropist and benefactor.

After the service the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church addressed those present.

“Today we open this monument to the distinguished ideal that we all have to strive to, in spite of our social rank. Nikola Tereshchenko is a man who left after him wonderful cathedrals, buildings, he’s a man who had everything due to his clear mind and kind heart, who gave everything to the low-income, sick and old ones. Let those kind traits of his nature, for which Christ promised great benefits, invoke our desire to love one another, esteem one another, communicate with one another and thus achieve communion with God. May his merciful life always be example for the descendants”, noted the Primate.

At the end all those willing laid flowers to the footing of the monument. The first ones to do that were the children, who underwent operation at the Cardiologic Center. Metropolitan Volodymyr put a basket of flowers to the monument.

By the way, this year we celebrate 190th birthday anniversary of Nikola Tereshchenko.

The monument’s installation became possible due to the efforts of the Patronage Council, which patronized the Cardiologic Center.

Note that at the special ceremony of the opening of monument the descendants of Nikola Tereshchenko arrived, in particular, his direct grandchild with family.

For the record. In Kyiv Nikola Artemoyivych was actively engaged in charitable activities and investing the construction of public buildings.

Nikola Tereshchenko built a free hospital for manual workers, where now the Academic Pratical Pediatric Cardiologic Center is functioning. It is not the only hospital this philanthropist kept. Free of charge hospitals worked at every plant that belonged to Tereshcneko.

In 1881 the school for blind was open, an only establishment in Russia of that time. The same year Nikola Tereshchenko granted 23 000 rubles for construction of Maryinsky Orphanage at the crossroads of Pankovska and Nikolsko-Botanichna streets.

Beside numerous donations in favour of the city he financed the construction of the Kyiv-Pechersk gymnasium and trade schools. To a high extent the establishments were kept at the expenses of him and his family.

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