March 23 – 30, 2024

Fastiv, 23.03- 30.03.24

Christ is risen!

Early in the morning, still in the grave of Jesus, the women we call “Myrrhbearers”, did not want to stay in the shadow of death in loneliness, they wanted to be near the one whom they loved. As a reward for their love, there was a meeting with Christ Risen, who said to them: “Don’t fear, that’s me.”

In the middle of the night and death that scares us, like last week, when air alarms every time inform us about a threat of ballistic missiles and hostile shelling throughout our country, we need the faith of these women who, despite the fact that they saw the Dead Christ, hurried to the grave full of hope…

During these years of war, we met so many “Myrrhbearers” who served us in our sorrow, who were helping in the darkest hours. Of all our hearts, thank you to the benefactors and donors, all our friends who stay nearby. Today, we go out with you to meet the Resurrected. We believe of all our heart that He is the one who has “overcame death by death”, who is nearby, because He is truly risen!

This week, we sent humanitarian cargo to Kharkiv, in particular to those who were forced to evacuate these weeks. We have assisted in an arrangement of a temporary shelter in Kharkiv, together with our partners from NGO Volunteer 68. We handed over to the needy affected by Russian military aggression 13,330 kg of humanitarian aid. We also supported forcedly displaced in Chernihiv region, and we worked out hundreds of electronic requests for assistance from all over Ukraine. This week, the number of requests for targeted assistance, among persons in difficult situations, and displaced persons increased significantly. We work out the appeal daily and ask everyone for patience, we answer corresponding to our opportunities, in a live queue …

Today, we received an offering for the tourniquets from the parishes of the Conversion of St. Paul and St. Andrew the Apostle in Zhytomyr. Thanks to the parish priests and to the parishioners for their offering. We are grateful to everyone who answered our request, the collection for 200 tourniquets for the Armed Forces close today! We are grateful to everyone whose names we do not always know, but all the donations you sent through Paypal, Privat Card or our account. All these efforts united us to save the lives of our defenders – thank you to everyone!

May the Risen Lord comfort and strengthen each of you and your families!

With prayers,

Fr. Mykhailo Romaniv OP