Lviv: the Heart of Ukraine
The Blahoslovennia
“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-2
If Kyiv is the “head” of Ukraine, Lviv is its heart. Lviv is the center of Ukrainian culture and although Russia has had a great deal of influence on the East, Ukrainian identity has been well preserved in Lviv. Also, as the heart of Ukraine Lviv has historically been much more tolerant and understanding of various ethnic minorities modeling that to live together well people must be at peace together. During this war, “heart” has taken on another dimension of compassion and today we want to tell you of this special work and the priests seeing it done.
At the heart of Lviv stands the Ukrainian Catholic Church and its group of volunteers known as “Blahoslovennia,” which means “Blessing.” The Blahoslovennia are working tirelessly, miraculously beyond their strength among now tens of thousands of people who are wandering, searching for food, homeless, and cold. Eight priests, three over the age of 75, are at the helm of this work. Their names are
• Bohdan Chaban who is the lead priest
• Petro Harasymchuk who is waiting for a heart transplant but still offers prayers with people
• Mykhalio Dymyd
• Oleh Sukhinsky who has the gift of healing and went to the frontlines to be with soldiers
• Bohdan Kalatyn
• Liubomyr Hladiuk
• Oleh Plishylo
• Oleh Kindii
These priests have their own families to support, though last week they said farewell to their families and are staying behind to serve. This may come as a surprise. Priests in the Ukrainian Catholic Church are able to marry and have families. The sacrifice of both the families and these priests is immense. If Russia is successful these priests will be martyred. Their days begin at 6:30 AM when they lead worship and prayer services at 8:00 and 9:30 AM. After this, three stay at the parish to offer more prayers and spiritual support, while the others move to the streets to direct relief services. The final prayer service is at 6 PM. This may all sound very tiring but Father Oleh Kindii reflected, “I wouldn’t say we get tired.” This is a miraculous blessing by itself.
Last week, The Outreach Foundation was able to send over $10,000 from your support to this church in Lviv. Over the weekend, the church used these resources to purchase first aid supplies, food, warm clothing, and shoes for refugees. This is a significant gift with more on the way. One point that bears mentioning is that the average monthly income of people in Lviv is between $400 and $600/month. Those who are staying in Lviv and offering their homes to fellow Ukrainians, buying supplies, and feeding anyone who comes, are offering hospitality out of their own poverty. Also, many aren’t able to afford the bus fare to make it to Poland. However, because we have come alongside them they can purchase bus tickets for the very poor, elderly living on pensions, and women and children whose husbands are staying and fighting the war. Thank you!
THE OPPORTUNITY
We have the opportunity to stand with this amazing team of priests and the volunteer “Blahoslovennia” in Lviv by providing resources for their work to continue. When we cannot be there in person, our resources become a source of strong encouragement. Please multiply their efforts to share the gospel by making a generous gift to “European Initiatives: Ukraine Appeal” through The Outreach Foundation. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.