Dutch Foreign Minister visits Transfiguration Cathedral of UOC in Odesa
The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UOC cathedral in Odesa, damaged by Russian shelling. Photo: screenshot of the video from the Odesa Eparchy's Facebook page
On July 8, 2024, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Kaspar Veldkamp, and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine, Johannes de Mol, visited the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Odesa. This was reported by the Odesa Eparchy.
The diplomats were accompanied by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin.
Archpriest Myroslav Vdovych, an assistant to the rector of the cathedral, spoke about the history and holy relics of the ancient church and showed the progress of the restoration work after the tragedy of July 23, 2023, when a rocket hit the church during Russian shelling of the city.
The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that he had seen footage of the destroyed shrine online and wanted to visit the site of the tragedy in person. Kaspar Veldkamp wished the Orthodox residents of Odesa a swift restoration of the city's main shrine and assured support for all Ukrainians.
A priest of the UOC conveyed gratitude from the ruling hierarch, Metropolitan Agafangel, for the visit and gave his blessing for Veldkamp's efforts in his new position.
A special fund was created for the restoration of the destroyed cathedral. The press service of the Odesa Eparchy published the account details and called on all concerned individuals to join in the fundraising efforts.
As previously reported by UOJ, the ambassadors of Austria and Switzerland visited the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Odesa.
Read also
Dumenko: The enemy has destroyed Ukranian liturgical language for centuries
Epifaniy assured that "imperial invaders" burned Ukrainian liturgical literature.
Vance: A broken culture tends to turn young people into androgynous idiots
U.S. Vice President stated that modern society seeks to erase differences between genders, shaping people "who think the same, talk the same, and act the same."
In Volyn, UOC priests receive gratitude from AFU for volunteering
The clergy noted that they have always been supported by parishioners and communities willing to share their last resources.
Vance: We don't worry about earthly rewards but how we're doing before God
The Vice President of America shared that he is doing his best to follow God’s will.
Vance: Death is a bad thing, but losing your soul is much more terrible
"The fundamental tenant of the Christian faith is that the Son of God became man, He died and then He raised Himself from the dead," the U.S. Vice President reminded Americans.
Expert: The demographic situation is a national catastrophe for Ukraine
Analyst Oleksii Kusch warns that the country's population is shrinking at a catastrophic rate, yet Ukrainians do not see it as a problem.