With the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony, the UOC’s first hierarch, Archbishop Daniel (Zelinsky) officially approved the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s cooperation with WELCOME.US, a new national initiative to create, inspire, mobilize, and empower Americans from all corners of the country to welcome and support people affected by devastation, especially those seeking asylum in the United States.
This was reported by the Spiritual Front of Ukraine with reference to the website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.
Archbishop Daniel said: “The UOC of the USA firmly believes that the United States of America can be a safe haven for Ukrainians during this time of war. It is for this reason, that the Church is excited to partner with Welcome.us to enable Americans to provide help and assistance to those in need. The hope is to build a true cooperation between the various entities in order to build a durable capacity and ability to welcome refugees from Ukraine to the US.”
The past 30 days have changed the world. Once the Russian Federation crossed the sovereign borders of Ukraine, an independent nation recognized as such by all nations of the world, it became abundantly clear that much assistance would be needed from all freedom-loving people around the world.
The loss of human life and destruction of the infrastructure of major Ukrainian cities can only be defined not only as a crime against the peace-loving people of Ukraine, but against all humanity, the statement says.
The Ukrainian Orthodox of the USA established the PRAY FOR UKRAINE – HELP UKRAINE Appeal. Together with parishes from across the country, the Church has helped people of various parts of Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
A few days ago, Archbishop Daniel emphasized that issuing orders to kill is a crime against the sanctity of life, against the Creator.
It should be recalled that hierarchs of the UOC of the USA discussed with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew questions of cooperation to help Ukraine and held a meeting in the Consulate General of Ukraine in Istanbul.
Also, the UOC of the USA has begun delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine. More than $825,000 has already been raised. In addition, assistance from the UOC-USA arrived in Kyiv.
