U.S. Adventist chaplains discuss religious freedom in Ukraine with DESS
Andrew Gayrwood's speech at the Refectory Church of the Lavra. Photo: adventist.ua
From December 3 to 6, 2024, Adventist chaplains from the USA, Ivan Omana and Andrew Harewood, visited Ukraine, reports the Adventist website in Ukraine.
The visit was organized by the General Conference of the Adventist Church with the support of local leadership. The chaplains held meetings with representatives of government bodies, including the State Service for Ethnopolitics (a meeting with Deputy Head of the DESS Viktor Voynalovych), the Ombudsman’s Office, and the Military Institute.
The U.S. Adventists also attended the "military breakfast" with Zelensky at the Refectory Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
The meetings focused on issues of religious freedom, the role of chaplains in Ukraine's recovery, support for prisoners of war, and spiritual aid for the military. The chaplains also visited wounded soldiers in a military hospital, where they discussed the importance of spiritual support for seriously injured soldiers.
As reported by the UOJ, an OCU chaplain called for providing priests with weapons for self-defense.
Read also
UOC hierarch leads funeral service for Kyiv Eparchy priest killed at front
Metropolitan Augustine conducted the funeral service for Archpriest Viacheslav Lytvynenko, a longtime military chaplain.
Orthodox youth from across Ukraine meet in Kyiv
The UOC meetup brought participants from different eparchies to the capital for live fellowship and dialogue on spiritual topics.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy choir performs hymn by Patriarch Ilia
The choir of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy performed a sacred work by Patriarch Ilia on the day commemorating his repose.
Metropolitan Shio: Patriarch Ilia II’s love became a source of faith and hope
In Georgia, Metropolitan Shio said in his sermon on the 40th day after Patriarch Ilia II’s repose that his love and ministry became a source of faith, hope, and spiritual renewal for the people.
Orthodox Christians in U.S.: “War on Faith” bill ignores persecution of UOC
The St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco Society has accused Congressmen Joe Wilson and Don Bacon of “double standards” in drafting a religious freedom bill concerning Ukraine.
UOC Social Department in Kyiv delivers aid to 100 displaced families
In Kyiv, displaced families received humanitarian aid, food and household packages, as well as Paschal greetings from the UOC Social Department.