Bukovyna believers deliver 30 t of humanitarian aid to Sviatohirsk Lavra

Bukovyna believers have delivered 30 t of humanitarian aid to the Sviatohirsk Lavra. Photo: UOJ

Volunteers from the Novoselytsia and Khotyn Deaneries regularly undertake these journeys, covering over 1,300 kilometres one way to assist residents of the monastery and the surrounding areas. Throughout these missions, around 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid have been delivered. Each trip typically brings 2.5 to 3 tonnes of essential supplies, including food, clothing, shoes, and hygiene items.

According to the Sviatohirsk Lavra’s official website, the collection and transportation of aid are carried out with the blessing of Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna. Most of the donors are parishioners of rural churches – ordinary villagers and homemakers who donate the fruits of their labour. Parish priests organise collections at their churches, and the gathered items are then handed over to the volunteers.

“We first came to the Lavra in autumn 2022 and saw that help was genuinely needed,” shared volunteer Mykola. “Since then, we’ve returned again and again. We mainly bring food—pasta, grains, vegetables, apples, preserves, etc. Over the years, we’ve soured and delivered at least a tonne of cabbage. We’ve also brought homemade stews and tinned fish, as well as warm clothes, shoes, and children’s items.”

Those regularly taking part in the charitable efforts include residents of the villages of Redkivtsi, Toporivtsi, and Chernivka (Novoselytsia Deanery), as well as Bochkivtsi, Hrozyntsi, Kolenkivtsi, and Krutenky (Khotyn Deanery). Parishioners of the Holy Intercession Cathedral in Khotyn and believers from the Storozhynets Deanery and Kryvyi Rih also contribute.

In March of this year, the amount of aid collected was so large that two fully loaded van trips had to be made.

In addition to material goods, financial donations are collected to cover fuel costs. So far, around 150,000 hryvnias have been spent on transportation.

Currently, more than 200 laypeople, mostly pensioners, are sheltering at the Lavra. The humanitarian aid supports both the monastery’s needs and the surrounding communities.

Other Bukovynian volunteers, led by Oksana (Maria) Tsyuha, also make regular trips to the Holy Mountains. Their most recent delivery to the Lavra was in March this year.

As previously reported by the UOJ, approximately 8 tonnes of humanitarian aid from the faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy arrived at the Sviatohirsk Lavra on 20 March 2025.

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