The UGCC Thanked the Archdiocese of Kraków for Assistance to Kyiv During the Winter

The UGCC delegation arrived in Kraków to personally express gratitude for the large-scale assistance provided to the residents of Kyiv following the appeal of the metropolitan of Kraków in January this year.

Father Lyubomyr Yavorskyy emphasized that the support, organized at the initiative of the Cardinal and the local “Caritas,” became vitally necessary for the Ukrainian capital during a difficult winter. “Thanks to their help, we in Kyiv and its surroundings survived this extremely difficult winter. It saved lives,” he stressed.

During the meeting, the Ukrainian side presented Cardinal Ryś with a symbolic gift — a miniature model of a generator identical to the one he purchased at his own expense for a children’s rehabilitation center in one of the most severely affected districts of Kyiv.

As reported, following the appeal of January 24, 2026, about 6.5 million PLN were collected in the Archdiocese of Kraków. Thanks to these funds and donations from benefactors, nine humanitarian shipments were organized. Dozens of powerful generators, over a thousand heaters, hundreds of power devices, as well as tons of food, hygiene products, and other necessary equipment for “Points of Invincibility” at parishes were delivered to Kyiv.

As part of the visit, the UGCC delegation also met with the director of “Caritas” of the Archdiocese of Kraków, Fr. Łukasz Slusarczyk, and the organization’s staff. The guests got acquainted with the activities of the charitable centers, particularly visiting a Catholic school, care centers for the elderly and people with special needs, and a food package distribution point.

Father Yavorskyy particularly noted the timeliness of the assistance provided: “Every help is important, but its timely arrival at the moment of greatest need is no less important.”

Despite the challenging situation continuing into the fifth year of the war, the representatives of the UGCC emphasize that they maintain hope and feel the support of the Church, which remains close to the people of Ukraine.

Press Service of the Patriarchal Foundation “Mudra Sprava”