Chelyabinsk, Chelyabinsk Province, Russia, February 24, 2025
The Russian Orthodox Church opened its 268th humanitarian aid center last week.
On Friday, February 21, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexei of Chelyabinsk blessed the first such center in Chelyabinsk, in the Church of the Great Martyr Panteleimon, reports the Department for Church Charity and Social Service.
The center will provide assistance to large families, the poor, and all those in need in the form of clothing, food, school supplies, and other essential items.
“A person’s encounter with God occurs daily through various circumstances, but most often when we begin to do works of love and compassion, not for glory or reward,” said Met. Alexei after the blessing. “Those who will work in the aid center, the sisters of mercy, serve their neighbors for Christ’s sake.”
“Life isn’t easy. Many residents of the city find themselves in difficult situations. We want to help in some way and we’re happy that we have such an opportunity,” the hierarch added.
Today, 268 Church humanitarian aid centers operate in Russia and other countries. Most of them were opened with the support of the Synodal Department for Charity. Assistance is provided free of charge regardless of citizenship or religion.
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