UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE
Seminarians of the Church fulfill the Mandate of the Faithful to Aid the Needy of Ukraine
Six seminarians of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Bound Brook, NJ gathered together at the main dining hall of the Seminary in the evening hours of May 6th, 2015 in order to accomplish the task of packing over 600 lb. of clothing and toys for the children Ukrainian orphanages that are sponsored by the UOC of the USA as well as clothing for the refugees from Eastern Ukraine. For several hours, the seminarians (Subdeacon Ivan Chopko, Subdeacon Volodymyr Yavorskyi, Taras Kaluzhnyy, Tadei Surak, Yurii Bobko and Ihor Protsak) led by His Grace Bishop Daniel, President of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA and Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas, Assistant Dean of Students of St. Sophia Seminary, packed boxes with humanitarian aid, designated for those in need of basic clothing items.
Over the past several weeks the donations of clothing and arts&crafts were collected at the Seminary building in order to be delivered to the children of Znamianka orphanage in Ukraine as well as the needy of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Winter coats, shoes, summer T-shirts and dresses, toys and medical equipment are only a few items that filled the 12 extra-large boxes ready for the shipment to Ukraine.
As the evening hours of May 6th, 2015 entered into the time of physical rest, the students reflected with Bishop Daniel about the accomplished task: "It is a worthwhile project for all of us, which increases our awareness of our greater Christian community, while building empathy and upholding moral precepts of who we are as children of God…"
His Grace Vladyka Daniel stated that “…It seems like every day we are learning of more and more individuals of our Holy Church that are answering God’s call and launching projects in their parishes - ministries of caring for orphans and less fortunate in new and amazing ways. We are truly humbled, honored and blessed to be able to see the efforts of so many of our parishes, and it is our sincere prayer and hope that God will continue to allow us to be a part of His unconditional love in the world and will equip and enable us to serve every person in need... We prayerfully thank everyone for what you are doing for the orphans of Ukrainian orphanages as well as those in need of love and care in the time of war in Ukraine… We are so grateful to work alongside so many dedicated young adults and parishioners of our Church that make themselves available to how God wants to use them in the lives of those that are less fortunate than us.”
Seminarians of the Church Fulfill the Mandate of the Faithful to Aid the Needy of Ukraine - 05/06/2015
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