Moldova, Ukraine, Greece, July 26, 2023
The Moldovan Orthodox Church donated spiritual literature to prisoners. Photo: mitropolia.md
Tasked by the Lord with helping the less fortunate, Orthodox Churches, dioceses, and parishes throughout the world continue to run philanthropic programs to help all those in need.
There have been several reports of encouraging Church activities just since this weekend:
Moldova
In response to the request of several prisoners serving life sentences in Rezina, Moldova, the Moldovan Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) gifted a book shelf full of Orthodox books.
The donated literature included Bibles, prayers books, and other spiritual literature, reports the Moldovan Church.
A meeting was held in the prison’s recently renovated chapel of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God, where priests offered counsel to life convicts and others facing various moral and spiritual problems.
Ukraine
Photo: cherkasy.church.ua
On July 23, the Ukrainian Orthodox Diocese of Cherkasy donated $2,700 (100,000 hryvnia) for the treatment of children with cancer, the diocese reports.
Half of the money was raised through a charity fair held at the Archangel Michael Cathedral earlier in the month, and half was personally donated by His Eminence Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy (whom the Ukrainian authorities have been holding under house arrest since May, and where he will stay at least until September 21, according to the latest court ruling).
The formal transfer of funds took place on the territory of the Cherkasy diocesan administration. The diocese also presented the sick children with memorable gifts.
“Our prayer, our communication and the financial assistance provided will help inspire children and their parents with hope for a speedy recovery from this serious illness,” said the local dean Archpriest Sergei Chumak.
Cancer treatments are long and trying for the entire family, Fr. Sergei said, “but the Church knows a remedy that saves from hopelessness and despair—prayer, during which despair passes and hope is instilled in the soul.”
The grateful children expressed a sincere desire to help others in the future.
Greece
Photo: imdos.gr
Yesterday, July 25, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Didymoteixon, Orestias, and Soufli delivered packages of baby items to 18 new and expectant mothers in an effort to support families and address low birth rates in the area of the border with Turkey.
The event was attended by the local ruling hierarch Metropolitan Damaskinos and officials from EUROBANK, the metropolis reports.
Each package contained clothing, food, hygiene items, and other necessary supplies for taking care of an infant up through the first birthday.
The charity program was co-sponsored by the Metropolis of Didymoteixon, the Archdiocese of Athens’ philanthropic program Apostoli, and EUROBANK.
The Metropolitan addressed the beneficiaries of the program, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the duty of parents to educate their children.
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