The sounds of Christmas carols, the smells of freshly baked pastries, the noise of streets and shopping malls create an atmosphere of JOY and PEACE, longing to be with each other, share an embrace and love with those around you…

…The sounds of bombings, the smell of explosion and empty burning shells, the sounds of sirens and people running into shelters show the reality of how fragile our life and our desire for PEACE, for the embrace of our loved ones and the ability to care and be cared for…

Thousands of miles from the Eastern shores of the United States of America, the sacred winter season of the Nativity of our Lord is threatened by war and death in Ukraine. Millions of children, men and women forever scarred by sadness, the loss of life and fear. Yet, the ray of HOPE and LIGHT comes through darkness announcing to the world, even in the most difficult moments of survival, that God-child – Emanual – is calling upon us to LIVE in PEACE, as He brings HOPE and LOVE to the fallen world.

Fulfilling the sacred call to Holiness and Sacredness of Life, the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA continue to extend a helping hand to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ throughout Ukraine, especially in the Eastern part of Ukraine, where the war destroys not only the geographic locations, but most importantly LIFE.

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, the Charity ministries of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA, under the leadership of Archbishop Daniel continue to deliver food, logistical and medical supplies to those in need.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Serhiy of Donetsk Eparchy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Very Rev. Fr. Kostyantyn Kuznetson offers selfless service to the most remote areas of the occupied (by Russian military) territory of Ukraine. Together with his wife Natalia and a group of volunteers, the food and logistical supplies purchased daily and transported to the wounded, elderly, handicapped and those in need of assistance.

Healthy gifts of the season, citrus, fruit, and some candy purchased and delivered to the residents of the frontline villages of Donetsk and Mariupol areas. The city of Dnipro is a hub for purchases and logistical supplies of the regions. While most people in the US would like to give a tangible gift of physical items, the cost of shipment and timing of delivery, make it cost prohibitive to distribute the aid adequately and responsibly to those in need. That is why monetary financial transfers enable local volunteers in Ukraine to deliver aid on a daily basis.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9). Displaced people and those who resettled to temporary locations in the town of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region travel daily to Transfiguration of our Lord Ukrainian Orthodox Church, under the leadership of Fr. Kostyantyn, in order to receive nutritional support, financed by the ministry of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

Speaking with the residents of the pre-frontline towns and villages, people state that “…our hearts are crucified by pain and tears… our days are divided by new to us notions of what life was before the war and what it is now… the fear for our children becomes inhumane as you hear the explosion of bomb and rockets… some of us no longer remember the life before the war…”

In his note to Archbishop Daniel, Fr. Kostyantyn related the sentiments of appreciation from the people of Ukraine: “On behalf of all needy people who, as a result of Russian aggression against the civilian population of Ukraine, lost their homes and became forced migrants, people who lost their relatives, children, parents, jobs, and are unable to feed their families, on behalf of our defenders, who sacrifice their most valuable - life, protecting Ukraine, WE EXPRESS UNLIMITED THANKS to the entire community of the UOC of the USA for the huge HELP!!!

Thanks to the support directed by the Church, we have the opportunity to provide assistance in the form of food, household appliances, educational tablets for teenagers, hygiene products, and household items to those who need it in the frontline cities and villages. And we can also deliver all this to displaced persons in other regions, and evacuate people, taking them to safe cities.

Our center takes care of the entire Donetsk region. We are located 20 km from Bakhmut, 10 km from Chasy Yaru and 10 km from Toretsk. There are a lot of displaced people, disabled people, the needy, the needs are different, but every person is important! Everyone has their own loss and pain. War leaves an imprint on every soul. We, following the example of our Lord, serve our neighbors with kindness and mercy, not on separate days, but all the time, despite the constant bombings! And only thanks to donations, we can continue to provide help to those in need!

Special thanks for the help in purchasing medical equipment and everything necessary for the Armed Forces. May the Lord generously bless all of you, give you good health and help for your true Christian love!!! Many and happy years to you!!! We all wish the long-awaited VICTORY!!!”

Join the effort to provide comfort, provide supplies, and save lives, by donating to the UOC of the USA Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Fund.