Ukraine, March 27, 2020
Photo: liveinternet.ru
In the spiritual centers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, prayers are being lifted up to God for thousands of Ukrainians finding themselves in Italy and other foreign countries severely suffering from the coronavirus epidemic.
At the initiation of the Chernivtsi-Bukovina Diocese of the UOC, the Kiev Caves, Pochaev, and Svyatogorsk Lavras, all named in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, are praying for more than 2,500 Ukrainians whose names were announced by the diocese on March 19.
The diocesan clergy continue to distribute the names to other monasteries and churches, and they will be sent to the Vinnitsa and Muckachevo Dioceses, which also expressed interest in joining the common prayer, reports the press service of the Chernivtsi-Bukovina Diocese.
The initiative has also found international support: from the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra in Russia, and from two parishes in Hungary and one in Italy, and the diocese notes that all are welcome to join in the prayer.
“There is no foreign pain; every Ukrainian is dear to us, for whom we must pray. Therefore, we ask you to join our prayer,” the diocese urges its flock.
A document with the names being prayed for can be downloaded here.
