Warm Clothes and Food for Those in Need: Another Humanitarian Initiative by the Orionine Fathers Took Place in Kyiv

The aid was provided by the parish communities of the Olsztyn-Gdańsk Eparchy of the Greek-Catholic Church in Poland: the Parish of St. John the Theologian of Iława and the Parish of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Ostróda, both under the pastoral care of Father Yaroslav Hostynskyi.

According to the Director of the Patriarchal Foundation “Mudra Sprava,” Father Lyubomyr Yavorskyy, such support is vital during periods of severe frost.

“In these freezing days, when the air temperature in Kyiv fluctuates between — 18 °C and — 20 °C, we see how many people come to the distribution points where hot food is provided. Today we are here, where people gather around Fr. Moreno from Italy, who has been serving at the monastery of the Orionine Fathers for many years,” he noted.

According to Father Moreno Cattelan, who serves at the monastery, assistance to those in need is provided every Wednesday and Thursday.

“For three years now, since we began cooperating with the Patriarchal Foundation ‘Mudra Sprava,’ 100–150 people, including the poor and internally displaced persons, come to this bridge near the ‘Teremky’ metro station every Wednesday. On Thursdays, we deliver food to 6–8 families in need, and we also distribute aid at our monastery, where about 50 more people wait for us. These are very different people—Greek Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants—but we do not make any distinction between them. Our only goal is to help.”

Father Lyubomyr Yavorskyy also emphasized the international dimension of solidarity observed in recent days following the ruthless and treacherous missile attacks on Kyiv and its energy infrastructure.

“This assistance to our people is made possible thanks to the generosity and goodwill of benefactors. This time, we are grateful to Bishop Arkadiusz Trochanowski of the Olsztyn-Gdańsk Eparchy and Fr. Yaroslav Hostynskyi, who personally brought the warm knitted items and foodstuffs. We truly see how the global Catholic and Greek-Catholic communities are uniting to help us survive these cold days,” the priest remarked.

He added that support also comes from other continents: “A donation even arrived from Australia, where it is now summer, thanks to Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok. It will help fund the continued preparation of hot meals for people in need. Every day, we see that someone is willing to help and support us.”

Volunteers are actively involved in the distribution of aid. One of them, Anna, shared her motivation: “It brings me joy to see smiles on people’s faces. You could even say it has become a sort of hobby—to help those who are struggling during this war, those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. My duties include organizing and distributing food but also praying for those who find themselves in difficult life situations.”

For many recipients, this support is critical. Mrs. Valentyna, who regularly comes for assistance, shared her story: “My husband is bedridden, and for a long time, there was no running water in our home. I had to run around a lot to manage everything. So, this is a very big help for us. Unfortunately, there are still many elderly people left in the building who cannot make it here on their own. But I sincerely thank you and all the benefactors for all the help we receive every Wednesday.”

Humanitarian aid distributions at the monastery of the Orionine Fathers in Kyiv continue on a regular basis, remaining a vital pillar of support for the capital’s most vulnerable residents.

Press Service of the Patriarchal Foundation “Mudra Sprava”