Odessa diocese of the UOC raised 3 million UAH for the displaced (PHOTO)

The Odessa diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church called on the public to join the social work of the Church in support of victims of armed conflict in the east of Ukraine. This was said by the Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Izmail in his address to the public of the Odessa region, reports the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

According to the Bishop, for more than two years of work the Humanitarian Centre of the Odessa diocese gathered and handed over to a zone of armed conflict more than 200 tons of food, medicines, clothes and donated more than 3 million UAH to the medical treatment of citizens of Ukraine affected by the conflict, as well as provided assistance to families with many children and the needy.

"Only in the last few months, more than six thousand residents of Odessa, among them – the lonely elderly people, large families, the disabled and the sick who need continuous treatment – received more than 100 tons of food and necessary medication of hundred thousand UAH in the social and humanitarian center of the Odessa diocese," – said the Bishop.

His Eminence stressed that due to the increased number of people seeking help in the Odessa diocese, it became necessary to collect charitable donations. "That stock of food that have been collected in the churches of the Odessa diocese, will be enough for only a few humanitarian actions," – said Bishop Agafangel.

He also noted that any humanitarian or financial assistance would be useful. "In every church of our diocese a public collection point operates, where at any time you can bring food and other essentials," – said the Bishop.

"I believe that together – the Church and society – we can do a lot of good and, overcoming the present-day trials, strengthen our faith, – said the head of the Odessa diocese. – After all, this is the meaning of the Christian life – to feed the hungry, to comfort the bereaved, to help the suffering."

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