Parishes and Monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Open to People Round the Clock

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Kiev. Pic – Wiki

OCP News Service – 2/3/22

Kiev-Ukraine: Parishes and Monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) is kept open to receive people fleeing the shelling from the Russian forces. As a result, several people have taken refugee in churches and monasteries for safety.

“It has been almost a week since the war in our country. There are dead and wounded. Many of our people are confused and scared. Some move to the western regions of the country, some – abroad, some do not have such an opportunity. This time is special for the Church. We must remember that we always look not at words but at deeds. Many of our temples now receive people during shelling. People actually live in temples because they feel safe. Important: where a person feels safe, there is his home. Therefore, for the Church, for the community, for the priest, now is the time of opportunity – to make God’s temple home for as many people as possible, protect them, comfort them, wipe away tears, encourage, feed, provide shelter and, of course, pray with them. After all, war is a time of special fervent prayer. Fathers and brothers, I urge you to keep the doors of your temples open. Who wants to wait for the shelling, let him wait, who is afraid and asks to be allowed to spend the night in the temple, let him spend the night, who has no food, let’s try to feed them. Maybe someone has stocks (products), let him bring to church and share with others. Where we served only on major holidays, we will pray more often, we will be with people “ commented Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary in his address to the clergy.

Source:
OCP News Service