Kaluga, Russia, November 18, 2020
Photo: diaconia.ru
On November 13, the Russian Orthodox Church opened another center for assistance to women in crisis pregnancies and struggling mothers.
His Eminence Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk celebrated the dedication of the Mother’s Ark diocesan center in Kaluga. Four mothers and five children have already settled into the center, and one child was born immediately after the center opened on November 14, reports the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Services.
Photo: diaconia.ru
The 20th and 21st centuries are the hardest ever for families in Russia, Met. Kliment said. “The source of the problems is, as I see it, the loss of faith, moral principles, and responsibility. Many approach marriage like consumers,” he said. But all struggling women are welcome to come to the center for assistance.
The center initially opened in March 2018 in a rented space, while the Kaluga Diocese worked on repairing a separate building allocated by the provincial administration.
Photo: diaconia.ru
The new building can accommodate up to 8 women with children at the same time, who will receive free housing, food, clothing, and psychological, legal, and medical assistance.
Since it opened two years ago, the shelter has been home to 65 mothers and 68 children. 2,000 women have received assistance from the center. It is supported by a presidential grant, the Synodal Department for Church Charity, and a charitable foundation.
Photo: diaconia.ru
The Russian Church has opened 75 shelters for women in crises and 211 humanitarian aid centers in Russia and other countries, where families in need can receive free food, clothing, cribs, strollers, and child care products.
The Church opened one of the nation’s largest maternity crisis centers in Arkhangelsk in February.
