In Ukraine on various outreach ministry assignments, His Grace Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA visited the Ivano-Frankivsk State Office building on July 4-5 where he met with representatives of the Ukrainian government, as well as family members of fallen and wounded Ukrainian soldiers, details the website of the UOC of the USA.
The first deputy head of the local state government Mr. Oleksander Lewytskyy welcomed Bishop Daniel, remarking upon the sacrifice of hundreds of Ivano-Frankivsk residents in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. His Grace also met with the children, mothers, sisters and wives of wounded and fallen heroes who shared their stories and tears, and sought words of spiritual consolation. Bishop Daniel offered thoughts on the importance of spiritual and mental care for wounded survivors and their families and extended to all in attendance his paternal blessings and a small prayer-card icon as a sign of the peace and love of Christ.
Additionally, a generous gift of $25,000, raised by parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, was offered to the families of the wounded and fallen, which matches a previous gift offered to those in need of assistance in the time of war.
Before leaving, His Grace again met with Mr. Lewytskyy to discuss ministry possibilities between the UOC of the USA and the Ivano-Frankivsk region, chiefly the care of the suffering children of the local handicapped orphanages.
