Old age in gladness. Church brings back to life the older generation

"Old age in gladness", a charitable action, has been organized by the Mission of the Synodal Department of the UOC for Family Affairs for the fourth time, since 2012. Within the framework of the event the priests try to visit as many elderly people as possible, people with disabilities and all those who are in need of care and custody. There are traditional places that the Mission always visits every year. One of them is Kozelets geriatric care home, located in a picturesque place in Chernihiv region – a village of Chasivtsy. A journalist of the UOJ, who joined the Mission, will report on the event.

A regular trip within the framework of the charity event started on 26 May. According to tradition, it was headed by the Mission President, Archbishop Panteleimon of Rovenky and Sverdlovsk, accompanied by the Mission members, volunteers and all who wish to personally share the warmth of their hearts and provide material assistance to elderly people. A choir of the Kiev Theological Academy and Seminary brought high musical notes to the event.

The aid for the elderly has been gathered by the members of the Synodal Department for nearly two months: clothing, personal hygiene items, sweets, Orthodox books, greeting cards with warm wishes. All the things were brought to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra by people who are not indifferent to the pain of others.

Bishop Panteleimon, the Head of the Mission, greeted all participants. "A lot of people joined this Easter event, – he said. – We will share this joy with you so that it will enhance your strength, so that you will spend more time in prayer for the health and salvation of your soul, so that in hard for Ukraine times the Lord will bless us with peace." Archbishop wished old age and diseases were not an ordeal for elderly people from the care home. As the Lord is a doctor of the soul and the body for all who turn to Him. After the welcoming words by the bishop all the present lifted up common prayer.

A light of Easter joy was spread with Easter and folk songs that were played by the academic choir of the Kiev Theological Academy and Seminary, with the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary.

Bishop Panteleimon blessed each person concerned with the icon of the Mother of God, and gave everyone personal hygiene items as a present.

But what the elderly people needed most badly was sincere and warm communication, which they lack. According to volunteers, the most important thing that they are able to give the residents of the care home is the warmth of their hearts. "It is so important for them to talk about their everyday concerns, to listen to different life stories and tell us their own. We are always most welcomed here!" said the author of these lines mother Anna Ruzhytskaya.

Despite difficult mental and physical state, the vast majority of the elderly people do not fall into despair and do not lose hope for the best, thank God for everything and enjoy every single day.

The delegation once again saw it for themselves during their visit of the "Art Room", where the residents of the care home make fancy toys, paint, do the needlework, knit and embroider.

To support their creative impulses, the Head of the Mission gave another gift to the residents – a set for craft work: colored paper, sketchbooks, paints, crayons and pastels.

Reverend Bishop also visited the elderly people with movement impairments who were looking forward to his arrival. They shared sorrows, warmly thanked for the attention and care. And just before leaving Kozelets, all the participants of the charity event and the residents of the care home took a group photo as a keepsake.

The UOJ journalist asked Archbishop Panteleimon to share his impressions of the trip.

"Easter joy that we feel these days came today with our arrival to these people, who have become close for us. And every time we feel that they have been waiting for us, that they are glad to see us. This can be seen in their smiles and kind words of gratitude. And we feel very pleased that most of them are faithful. You could see in almost all the rooms the icons, which they had most likely brought from places of their previous residence. Here, at the care home there is a prayer room, which is often attended by the elderly. They also go to a nearby monastery for worship. This is what they need to comfort their souls. We came to join our efforts in prayer for patience in their hearts and peace in Ukraine."

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