A girl from Gorlovka who was shielded by her mother from explosion: I want the war to end and people to be kind

Orthodox volunteers from Belarus continue to make their contribution to Donbass citizens. The information portal of the Belarusian Orthodox Church tell about the destinies of small children who involuntarily got involved in the cruel war, reports Pravoslaviye.RU

A nine-year-old Nastia Sheveleva was in Donetsk when the tragedy happened in August of 2014: her mother died from the exploded artillery shell after she had covered the girl with her body. Since then Nastia's life has changed drastically.

Like all children, Nastia was growing as a lively child and lived with her mother in Gorlovka. Everything changed with the beginning of military actions in Donetsk. After one of the shootings the frightened family moved to Donetsk. After a while there was a tragedy: shelling hit Nastia and her mother right in the street.

«I was walking along the street to receive a humanitarian aid, I remember my Mom telling me to sit down – and suddenly something reached us. I came to senses, cried. My mother was only able to cover my legs… Then I couldn't stand up on my feet myself. I was found by a small puppy. I saw an old man and a woman who helped me to get out. I closed my eyes and they told me not to close them. I do not remember what happened next. I woke up when I was being taken on a transport cart to a ward,» recalls Nastia.

In the children's hospital of Donetsk the doctors did their best to save the girl, they removed frags from her body. Though, there are some pieces left in her lung. It is not clear what to expect from them. «I'm feeling fine, nothing hurts me. But when I start walking fast it begins to hurt in the place where the rib is broken,» says Nastia.

After she realized her mother is no longer alive, the girl shrank into herself and got isolated from the surrounding world. A journey to Belarus, where Nastia could receive medical examination in the children’s surgical centre, was a breath of fresh air for her when the girl could forget about the war at least for a short while.

After a week stay in Minsk, the girl returned to shooting-ridden Gorlovka.

«I want the war to end as soon as possible and to have peace. To return to normal life. To build kindergartens, to return schools. To come back to the place of your residence and to have buidings no longer destroyed. To see warm-hearted people who would help one another,» told Nastia to the volunteers from Minsk. They are planning to have another trip to Donbass in March.

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.

Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.

Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects

According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.