UOC clergy take care of children suffering from cancer and mental illnesses

December 20, the deputy chairman of the UOC Mission for social care of children, the dean of the Solomenskiy deanery of the capital Archpriest Yaroslav Shovkenik visited the Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation of the National Children's Specialized Hospital "OKHMATDET", reports the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

As part of the cooperation agreement, the Mission of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for social care of children and PAO "Ukrgasbank" congratulated the children undergoing treatment at the medical institution on the Day of St. Nicholas and gave them gifts. Also Fr. Yaroslav wished the children a speedy recovery and called on all God's blessing.

The next day, with the blessing of Bishop Varsonofy of Borodyanka, 26 young patients of the Children's Onco-Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Centre of the Hospital "OKHMATDET" were visited by volunteers of the Social Department of the Resurrection Cathedral of the UOC.

The department personnel brought the children prayer books, children's Bibles, sweets and toys.

The head of the Social Department A. Bogdanova greeted minors on St. Nicholas Day, wishing them recovery and their parents – strength and patience, as well as not to lose hope in God's grace.

The community of the UOC Cathedral reports that they continue to collect charitable aid to the sick and needy.

On December 19, St. Nicholas Day, the deputy chairman of the UOC Mission for social care of children of the UOC Synodal Department for Family Affairs, a cleric of the St. Spyridon Church of Kiev priest John Ruzhitsky, together with volunteers, congratulated 35 young patients aged 3-6 of the 13th Department of Kiev Mental Hospital №1 (Pavlov Hospital).

Most of the children are under medical treatment for serious illnesses (autism, childhood schizophrenia, psychosis, neurosis), underdevelopment. Many of them are from low-income families.

Little patients were presented with holiday gifts and sweets. Also, the priest gave each child "The Gospel translated for kids." Besides, the volunteers handed over to the hospital department collected clothes and shoes.