“We carry bread and blankets - but also the presence of Christ. Every act of compassion, every mile we travel, is a Gospel lived, not just preached.” – Very Rev. Fr. Kostyantyn Kuznyetsov

Before the sun rises over the war-torn towns of Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Dopropillia, and other villages across Eastern Ukraine, the mission of love begins anew. In the early hours of the morning, with devotion and urgency, vehicles are loaded with food, medical supplies, hygiene products, toys for children, and warm clothing. These are not ordinary deliveries. They are lifelines - threads of mercy connecting a suffering people with the tender embrace of the Body of Christ.

For three years, since the brutal and genocidal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation began, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America (UOC of the USA) has responded with fierce compassion, resolute action, and unshakable faith. Working hand in hand with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the UOC of the USA has never abandoned the people of Ukraine - especially those in the remote villages and frontline communities often overlooked by the world.

At the heart of this mission is the Very Rev. Fr. Kostyantyn Kuznyetsov, who, alongside his wife Natalia, has made it his sacred calling to serve those in greatest need. Operating with the blessing of Metropolitan Serhii of Donetsk and in coordination with Metropolitan Antony of the UOC of the USA, Fr. Kostyantyn leads teams of volunteers and clergy into regions devastated by merciless attacks.

"We don’t just bring food," Fr. Kostyantyn says. "We bring hope. We bring prayer. We sit with the elderly who have no one left. We give chocolate and storybooks to children who no longer know laughter. We hug tired soldiers and hand them warm soup, fresh fruit, and a word of blessing."

In the burned-out ruins of towns once filled with life, the UOC of the USA delivers not only logistical aid but the healing presence of Christ Himself - through words of encouragement, prayers of peace, and acts of mercy that remind the people of Ukraine: you are not forgotten.

Blankets for warmth. Vitamins and bread for health. Food packages that include fruit, vegetables, canned goods, grains, and tea. There are toys for the children, school supplies for those still learning in bunkers, and even icons for families to hang in the ruins of their homes - testaments to a faith that cannot be bombed into silence.

Through these efforts, the Church echoes the very heart of our Lord’s commandment: "I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was naked, and you clothed me." (Matthew 25:35–36)

Archbishop Daniel, who oversees the humanitarian outreach of the UOC of the USA, expresses his profound admiration and gratitude:

"On behalf of Metropolitan Antony and the entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, I thank Fr. Kostyantyn and the volunteers of Donetsk, Kostiantynivka, and surrounding regions. You are Christ’s hands and feet, walking where angels fear to tread. You bring the light of the Resurrection to a land shadowed by death."

As Great Lent continues and the faithful prepare their hearts for the glorious Feast of Pascha, the Church reminds us that our Lenten journey is not only about fasting and prayer—but also about almsgiving. It is about action. It is about love.

"Even if the politicians argue and the world’s attention shifts," Archbishop Daniel continues, "our mission of mercy does not stop. Because it is not political. It is Gospel. We serve because Christ calls us to serve. We give because He gave all for us."

Indeed, as the Resurrection draws near, it is in these very acts of service that the Resurrection is already made manifest. Every piece of bread handed to a hungry grandmother. Every warm blanket wrapped around a trembling child. Every whispered prayer at a soldier’s post. These are the seeds of Pascha.

In this sacred season, the UOC of the USA extends a heartfelt appeal for continued support. Let us not grow weary in doing good. Let us remember the suffering, uphold the weary, and love with sacrificial courage.

How You Can Help:

• Donate generously to the UOC of the USA Humanitarian Fund
• Pray daily for peace and healing in Ukraine
• Share the stories of those who suffer and those who serve
• Offer your time, your resources, and your heart

As Archbishop Daniel so beautifully reminds us: "Christ is not found only in the sanctuary. He is found in the ruins, in the shelters, in the soldier’s trench, and in the widow’s tears. And so that is where we go—to find Him, to serve Him, and to proclaim that love is stronger than death."

Let us walk together, bearing the cross of compassion, so that when the dawn of Pascha breaks, it will shine not only over the golden domes of our churches, but also into the broken hearts of those we have embraced along the way.