Orenburg, Russia, January 21, 2020
Photo: oren-eparh.ru
The Russian Orthodox Church continues its extensive social and humanitarian work with the opening in Orenburg of a shelter for the temporary accommodation of pregnant women who find themselves in difficult situations, the press service of the Orenburg Diocese reports.
The shelter is the first in Orenburg and the 73rd such Church-run social institution in Russia. It was ceremoniously opened by His Eminence Metropolitan Benjamin of Orenburg, who noted that the Church has gained a lot of experience in such social activity over the past 30 years and urged the state, the Church, and public organizations to work together to tackle the demographic problem in Russia.
Funds for the shelter’s furniture were provided by the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Services of the Russian Church and the building was repaired with funds from the Orenburg Diocese and other benefactors.
The diocese also has a Commission on Family Issues, the Protection of Motherhood and Childhood, which provided humanitarian assistance to 915 families in 2019.
“Every week, up to 60 people make one-time requests to help with clothing, shoes, food, children’s furniture, and basic necessities. These are pregnant women in a crisis situation, with large and low-income families, families with children with disabilities,” the diocese reports.
