Our Carpathian Mountains have turned into a pure children’s camp: Head of the UGCC in the 78th week of war
Very heavy fighting is taking place along the entire front line. Our military not only courageously repel the enemy’s attacks, but also counterattack, make incredible efforts and liberate our holy land gradually, stated the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, in a traditional video message on the 78th week of the full-scale war brought to our peaceful land by the Russian occupier.
Participants of the ArtArea-2023 creative Christian camp for children of military officers in the Carpathians
According to him, the enemy is relentlessly shelling our peaceful towns and villages, deliberately targeting residential buildings, hospitals, and markets, i.e., crowded places. Many more civilians have been killed and wounded. In the Kharkiv region, particularly in the Kupyansk neighborhood, the forced evacuation of residents from 37 settlements was announced.
“Yet today, we once again feel the great solidarity of all Ukrainians, the desire not only to save each other but also to fight for the freedom and independence of their country. This is the reason why we keep saying: Ukraine stands! Ukraine is fighting! Ukraine prays!” the Head of the Church emphasized.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav notes that children are the most vulnerable in these brutal circumstances.
“Therefore, the Church tries to embrace them with its care, especially in the summer. Our Carpathian mountains have turned into a real children’s camp, where nature itself heals the wounds of war,” he said and added: “Our parishes, dioceses, and patriarchal structures are making efforts to ensure that as many children as possible come to the ‘lungs of Ukraine’ not only to have a rest but also to receive spiritual and psychological support in healing their wounds, to rejuvenate their spiritual, mental and physical strength.”
“First of all, we are trying to take care of the children of military officers and children from the towns where people live under shelling. Specifically, 40 children from Nikopol are resting here,” said the spiritual leader.
The Primate expressed his gratitude to activists, volunteers, educators, and psychologists who work with the most vulnerable and arrange recreation for them.
He also thanked the Australian Catholic bishops, who are involved in various charitable projects for Ukrainians and have recently visited Ukraine to touch war wounds.
The UGCC Department for Information
