UOC to launch a support program for communities of seized churches

On July 26, the Holy Synod entrusted the Department for Social and Humanitarian Affairs of the UOC with the task of implementing a charity programme to aid the communities of the seized churches, reports the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

During the meeting, the Holy Synod of the UOC, taking into account the tense situation around the churches of religious communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church seized during the period from 2014 to 2016, expressed concern over the seizure of temples (Journal No. 19).

Members of the Synod decided to entrust the Synodal Department for Social and Humanitarian Affairs with the task to facilitate the implementation of a charity programme of collecting donations for the construction of churches in settlements where the temples have been seized. The mission charity programme "Drop of Peace" will be implemented in cooperation with the "Favor" charitable fund.

Also, the Holy Synod calls on all believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to join the charity programme of the mission and expresses gratitude to the clergy and believers of the seized churches for their commitment, profession of faith and firmness in preserving canonical Orthodoxy.