Orthodox youth restores Odessa Defense Memorial for Victory Day

Orthodox youth restoring the Memorial of Heroic Defense of Odessa for Victory Day. Photo: eparhiya.od.ua

On May 1, 2020, the Orthodox youth of the Odessa Eparchy began the restoration of Memorial of Heroic Defense of Odessa – the 411th coastal battery, reports the press service of the eparchy.

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II, Orthodox youth held the first of three “subbotniks” (clean-up events) on the territory of the memorial complex. Young people prepared the cannons for painting, cleaned metal from the old coating. Next week they will be painted and the territory of the memorial will be cleaned up.

“Despite the fact that the festive events due to the quarantine this year will be held with significant restrictions, Orthodox youth cannot forget about the Great Victory Day and can’t but honor the events of 75 years ago. Indeed, in our city, there is living evidence of battles – the  Memorial of the Heroic Defense of Odessa – the 411th coastal battery. This year it was decided to pay special attention to this place,” says the eparchy’s press service.

All participants of the action observed sanitary requirements – worked in masks, maintained social distance, the work plan was agreed with the leadership of the memorial.

The initiative of Odessa youth is held under the motto: "Nobody is forgotten, nothing is forgotten!"

As reported earlier, with the assistance of employees of the Social Department of the Odessa Eparchy and with the help of caring people, the Orthodox youth of Odessa feed about 150 homeless people every day during the coronavirus quarantine and also provide targeted humanitarian assistance to single elderly Odessa citizens.

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