UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

UOC of the USA and UNWLA Joint Charitable Outreach in Ukraine

On Monday, May 18, 2015 His Grace Bishop Daniel met with Mrs. Marianna Zajac, President of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) at the Consistory Offices of the Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in South Bound Brook, NJ.

The meeting addressed the common projects of the Ukrainian community in the United States of America and the ability of various charitable organizations to reach out to the wounded soldiers and refugees of the present armed conflict in Ukraine.

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Bishop Daniel shared with the President of the UNWLA the charitable mission of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA through the ministry of various Church organizations, parishes, clergy and faithful of the UOC of the USA. Noteworthy was a lengthy discussion on the most recent trip of Bishop Daniel to the military hospital in Lviv, Ukraine, where hundreds of wounded soldiers received financial assistance from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

Moreover, a discussion took place about the need to offer assistance to numerous refugees from Eastern Ukraine, who found refuge in the capital of Ukraine – Kyiv and other cities throughout the country. Once again, both Bishop Daniel and Pani Zajac shared with each the experience of UNWLA and the UOC of the USA, while offering assistance to those in need in Ukraine.

In the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, Mrs. Marianna Zajac, acting on behalf of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America presented His Grace Bishop Daniel, President of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA with a check in the amount of $10,000 in order to assist the charitable outreach project of the Church, providing immediate assistance to the wounded, refugees and needy people in Ukraine.

In their words of gratitude, both Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel stressed the vital role that UNWLA plays in the life of the Ukrainian community in the United Sates of America, providing the basic assistance for those in need.  Both the UOC of the USA and the UNWLA have acted in unison over the years, providing aid to people in Ukraine stricken by natural disasters and emergencies, such as the Chornobyl nuclear disaster; donated millions of dollars granting scholarships to needy individuals in Ukraine and the diaspora; provided aid to orphans and elderly women; promoted the preservation of Ukrainian-American national identity, cultural heritage, and ethnic traditions in the United States.

The follow up meeting of Mrs. Zajac and Bishop Daniel is scheduled for the second part of the month of June, once the bishop returns from the Mission Trip to the Refugee centers, military hospitals and orphanages, in order to receive an update and report on the joint effort among the people of Ukraine that continue to suffer the harsh reality of war.