Rivne Eparchy rebuilds home for priest’s widow and her children

The renovated home of the priest's widow. Photo: Rivne Eparchy of the UOC

The press service of the Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has announced the completion of a charitable project to build a new home for the widow of a priest, Matushka Tatiana, and her three children in the village of Milyatyn.

After the untimely passing of Father Sergiy, who died at the age of 32, his family found themselves in difficult circumstances. Father Sergiy dedicated his life to serving the Church and its people, caring for the church building and rectory but never acquiring a home of his own. Shortly before his death, he purchased an old wooden house that was unfit for living.

Following his passing, representatives of the OCU, who had seized the church, demanded the eviction of the widow and her children from the church rectory, which Father Sergiy had restored through his own efforts.

“With the blessing of Archbishop Pimen of Rivne and Ostroh, the Rivne Diocese of the UOC undertook the charitable responsibility to build comfortable housing for the late priest’s family. Thanks to the combined efforts of clergy, parishioners, and benefactors, the house was built and fully equipped,” said the secretary of the Rivne Diocese, Archpriest Viktor Zemlyany.

A significant portion of the funding for the construction was provided by Orthodox philanthropist Andriy Biba.

The Rivne Eparchy of the UOC and the family of Matushka Tatiana sincerely thank all the kind-hearted individuals who supported this good cause. As a result, Father Sergiy’s widow and children received a new home and the opportunity to live with dignity.

As previously reported, the Odesa Eparchy is offering assistance to those who lost their homes due to Russian shelling.

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