Perspectief 2015-28

Perspectie 16 Lidiya Lozova village to another, with a prayer for peace in Ukraine read at each of the stops 11 . Children who participated distributed special icons of the Protection of Godmother with Ukrainian Cossacks to the cars that would stop to let the procession go. Secondly, it is the intensive work with the displaced people from the East, who arrived in the region, as well as with the local families who suffered because of the fathers’ participation in the military actions. The parish engages in this work with a clear understanding that helping those in need, those most vulnerable, is the only way to prevent our own “hardness of heart” in the very depressing circumstances Ukraine is in. Thirdly, the parish pays special attention to children, who became the greatest victims in the conflict. Here it actively cooperates not only with other Orthodox parishes, but also with other Christian communities abroad. This is a very good way to destroy walls and develop bonds between us, which I would like to mention in more detail. a) Father Ambrosius (Makar), a friend of father Philaret and his parish, who now serves at the Orthodox parish of St. Ambrosius in Milan, Italy, helped organizing a group of volunteers both in Kyiv and Milan, who collect money and humanitarian aid and deliver it to displaced families and to locals in need in the Makariv region. The volunteers (members of both parishes) monitor the situation on the field, communicate with people, and many are very thankful for that. Among them there are people, to whom no one has yet offered any help. b) Examples of peacemaking activities which involve other confessions include those with Taize and the ‘Comunione and Liberzione’ movement. The parish has for a long time been friends with the Taize community. With Taize it shares love to the simplicity of heart and prayer. Father Philaret visited Taize several times, and the Taize brothers were several times guests of the parish together with young people. On April 17 a large group of the European youth (about 60 people) and Ukrainian youth (about 40) will visit Lishnya and take part in the liturgy. The group will be headed by the Taize’s prior brother Alois and four other brothers. Their visit to Lishnya will be as part of the Pilgrimage of Trust in Ukraine. Recently the Taize 11 The procession would stop at the houses of some of the parish members.