Kiev, September 1, 2021
news.church.ua
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s annual “Backpack of Mercy” event was held on Monday at the Kiev Caves Lavra, providing hundreds of needy students with necessary school supplies.
The event, organized by the Synodal Department for Social and Humanitarian Issues, also included a moleben before the start of a new school year for the 800 children and their parents, served by His Grace Bishop Sylvester of Belogorod, the rector of the Kiev Theological Schools, reports the Information-Education Department of the UOC.
After the service, Bp. Sylvester addressed the families, invoking God’s blessing on the parents, children, and teachers, that every day might be a day of blessing and joy.
news.church.ua
The hierarch then sprinkled all present with holy water and distributed the backpacks.
Each backpack with its supplies costs about $40-$45, which is a lot of money for struggling families, commented Archpriest Sergei Eskhiyan, who headed the organization of the event. The charitable event was funded by private donors and charitable organizations.
“Our Church is all of us, it’s a big family. There are people in the family who are more in need, and there are people who can help. Of course, the event is also held so everyone can take part in it. This may be a small contribution, but it’s participation in a great cause, as well as gratitude from all those people, children who received this help,” Fr. Sergei concluded.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
