Orthodox Monasteries Healing Ukrainian Soldiers

All I can say is read Wounded Ukrainian soldiers find solace in Greek monasteries, and look at the photos.

They took communion shoulder to shoulder in small chapels with thick stone walls, whose narrow windows allowed enough light to pierce the thick incense. They made lists on rectangular pieces of paper of loved ones they wanted to pray for. Between services, they talked, smoked and took photos from balconies overlooking the sea.

“We already see that these five days spent on Athos will replace at least a year of rehabilitation in Ukraine, in hospitals or other medical centres,” said Orest Kavetskyi, a Lviv regional official who helped organise the trip.

“When I visited Athos, I felt God’s grace, God’s blessing, the greatness of Athos.”

For those wishing to learn more about Eastern Orthodox Christianity: Orthodox Christian Network Library 

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