UOC and the Bulgarian Church hierarchs discuss aid to Ukrainian refugees

Rector of the Pochaiv Seminary meetimg with Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven. Photo: Sliven Metropolis

The rector of the Pochaiv Theological Seminary, Archbishop Iov of Shumsk, discussed the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria with Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven. During the meeting in Burgas, the Orthodox hierarchs paid special attention to the social and spiritual support of displaced persons, reports the Sliven Metropolis.

The mayor of Burgas, Dimitar Nikolov, took part in the meeting and assured the hierarchs of the local authorities' readiness to provide the necessary assistance to the people. Several thousand Ukrainian citizens are currently residing in the Burgas region. The municipal administration is facilitating their integration and assisting in resolving everyday problems.

The Orthodox Church also cares for the spiritual needs of the displaced persons. Nine Ukrainian priests serve in the parishes of the Sliven Diocese. Two of them are officially enrolled in the clergy of the diocese and minister to the faithful in the churches of the Burgas neighborhoods of Lozovo and Pobeda, while seven others serve by the blessing of Metropolitan Arseniy.

Archbishop Iov thanked the city administration for its hospitality and benevolent attitude toward Ukrainians. The hierarch emphasized that the primary aspiration of people in Ukraine remains the cessation of war and the restoration of peace. "The most important thing is the human being, for his upbringing requires much strength and time, while a bullet ends a life in one minute," the UOC hierarch shared with sorrow. The archpastor called on all the faithful to unite in common prayer and to ask God for a peaceful life for all of humanity.

The rector of the Theological Seminary expressed hope that the time spent outside their homeland would bring Ukrainians valuable social experience. In the archpastor's view, this experience of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect will be used by the people in the future to rebuild their country.

As the UOJ reported, the Metropolitan of Sliven expressed support for the UOC clergy in Bulgaria.

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