These families really need support and strength to move on: their lives have been put “on pause” for almost 22 months, some are waiting for husbands and parents to come back from the front, and some will never see them again… Pain, fear, anxiety, longing, exhaustion and the feeling of unknown take away life forces and morally paralyze people. We want to help, assist, and give a point of support to everyone who needs it, the Principal of OCU wrote on social media.
Considering the need, our “AXIOS” Center resumed its work in a new format – as a Center for spiritual and psychological support for our defenders, their families, and all victims of the war in Ukraine. This is the first Center where spiritual support is provided by priests who have completed training in psychology.
The other day, the first rehabilitation retreat for the spouses of defenders, which we called “Among Our Own”, has completed. Those who understand each other gathered there because they have common pain and problems, fears, and similar feelings. When you are “Among Our Own”, it is easier to understand each other, sometimes without unnecessary words, and also to find a solution, to light the flame of hope and faith, to give support and emotional warmth to another. Joint learning and empathy have become a kind of stone on which you can build a foundation for further support and development.
Retreats are different, their purpose is spiritual support, rehabilitation of emotional and spiritual balance, finding answers, reconciliation, providing valuable self-help tools in stressful situations. Retreats for servicemen’s wives, which will continue to be held by the “AXIOS” Center, will include psychological sessions, spiritual conversations, photo and art therapy, creative workshops, excursions, as well as a musical component, which will be supervised by the project’s ambassador, singer Marta Lipchei.
Not alone – but together, with love and compassion, supporting and helping each other, we can be strong. We will be able to find meaning where, it would seem, it has been lost, turn weakness and pain into our indomitability, perseverance, and striving for our great Victory. And I am sure it will definitely come!” noted Metropolitan Epifaniy.
