In a time of great suffering and tribulation, when the land of Ukraine trembles under the weight of war, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (UOC of the USA) continues to stand as a beacon of hope, love, and compassion. With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, and under the steadfast guidance of Archbishop Daniel, the Church has tirelessly provided humanitarian aid to those who have lost everything. This ministry of mercy extends across Ukraine but finds a special focus in the war-torn regions of the Donbas, where families, children, the elderly, and the wounded struggle daily to survive amidst the devastation wrought by Russian aggression.

One of the most heart-wrenching realities of this war is the plight of innocent children, whose lives have been shattered by conflict. In the town of Samar, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, the Church recently provided a vital shipment of humanitarian aid to a charitable institution for mothers and children - a sanctuary for young mothers and their little ones who have lost their homes, their fathers, and in many cases, their childhoods.

Through the selfless ministry of Fr. Konstantine Kuznetsov, his wife Natalia, and their son Dymytri, the faithful of the UOC of the USA were able to deliver food, milk, juice, fruit, pastries, and meat - essentials that help ease the burden of these struggling families. The children, many of whom have only known war, laughed with joy as they received candies and drinks - simple things that many take for granted but that, for these little ones, are rare and precious blessings.

His Eminence Archbishop Daniel reflected on this moment with deep emotion: “To witness the joy of a child holding a piece of bread, drinking a cup of juice, or clutching a piece of candy - it is a heartbreaking yet sacred moment. These are things that we so easily overlook in our daily lives, and yet for these little ones, it is a glimpse of normalcy in a world turned upside down by war. The Lord calls us to care for His most vulnerable children. We cannot turn away; we must continue to be His hands and feet.”

The center in Samar was founded by refugees themselves, those who have lost their own homes and loved ones, and yet, in their suffering, they have chosen to help others in need. Their example is a living testimony to the resilience of the Ukrainian people - a resilience that is strengthened by the outpouring of love and support from the Body of Christ across the world.

The impact of the Church’s aid extends beyond the children and mothers of Samar. In the town of Petrovske, the Church provided assistance to a rehabilitation center housing 230 people - men, women, and children, all struggling to survive. Some are wounded from the war, others have lost their homes, and many have been forced into a life of uncertainty.

These people cook for themselves, maintain their own sleeping quarters, and try to forge a sense of community amidst the ruins. The daily presence of Fr. Konstantine and his family, working tirelessly from dawn until late at night, is a reminder that they are not forgotten, that the Church of Christ stands with them in their suffering.

With each visit, the Church brings packaged food, medicine, and hygiene items, delivering them despite the constant sound of bombs and rockets flying overhead. In many villages, when the truck carrying aid arrives, people come out into the streets, often with tears in their eyes, knowing that someone – somewhere - cares enough to send them the means to survive.

Fr. Konstantine described these moments with deep humility: “There are no words to describe what it is like to see an elderly woman, who has lost her home, clutching a loaf of bread with tears in her eyes. Or a wounded soldier, unable to stand, holding a warm meal as if it were a treasure. These are moments that break your heart, but they also remind you why we do this - because Christ is here, among these people. Christ suffers with them, and through our hands, He provides.”

The chaplains of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, serving alongside the brave soldiers of Ukrainian Armed Forces, continue to provide both spiritual and material aid to those on the front lines. The UOC of the USA has provided logistical support, food, medicine, and first-aid kits to Ukrainian troops, ensuring that those who defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity have what they need to endure.

Many of these soldiers, after months of battle, return home wounded and broken, both physically and spiritually. The Church remains present in the hospice centers and rehabilitation clinics where these warriors recover, bringing them not only material assistance but also spiritual comfort.

One such hospice center, housing over 50 elderly and disabled refugees, recently received canned meat, fish, grains, pasta, diapers, and other essentials from the Church. Many of these individuals, forced to flee from places like Pokrovsk, Maryinka, Sievierodonetsk, and Bakhmut, have nowhere else to go. They have lost everything, yet through the Church’s aid, they have found a lifeline of hope.

As Ukraine approaches the three-year mark of Russia’s genocidal invasion, the suffering has not ceased -but neither has the Church’s commitment to serve.

Archbishop Daniel calls upon all faithful to continue in their generosity and love: “The world may grow tired of hearing about Ukraine. But we, the Body of Christ, must never grow weary in doing good. Our mission is not dictated by the attention of the media but by the love of Christ that compels us to serve. We must continue to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the orphans, and uplift the wounded. This war is not over. Our love and our support cannot fade.”

Fr. Konstantine echoed this sentiment, offering his heartfelt gratitude to the Church: “On behalf of every mother, every child, every wounded soldier, and every elderly refugee who has received aid through your generosity - I thank you. Your love is reaching those who would otherwise be forgotten. Please, do not stop. Please, continue to pray, to give, and to stand with us. Christ is with us, and together, we will prevail.”

The words of Christ in Matthew 25:35-36 ring louder than ever: “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me.”

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA will continue its mission for as long as it is needed, ensuring that no one in Ukraine stands alone. But this mission depends on all of us - our prayers, our contributions, our willingness to be the hands and feet of Christ.

Let us not turn away. Let us not grow tired. Let us continue to shine the light of Christ into the darkness of war.

May the Lord bless and protect all who give, all who serve, and all who suffer in the name of His love.