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Beloved Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America,
More than four years have passed since the outbreak of the devastating war in Ukraine. Although the world’s attention has increasingly turned elsewhere, the suffering of countless families has not ended. More than one million Ukrainian refugees remain in Poland, many of them women, children, and the elderly, who continue to face the daily challenges of displacement, uncertainty, and rebuilding their lives far from home.
From the very beginning of this tragedy, the Orthodox Church in America has sought to respond with Christian compassion. In the first weeks of the war, the generosity of our faithful made possible a large charitable collection, raising more than $720,000 for ELEOS, the humanitarian agency of the Polish Orthodox Church. Those funds provided immediate and tangible assistance to refugees seeking safety and shelter and have continued to bear fruit through programs that have helped thousands rebuild their lives. Our relationship with ELEOS has continued beyond that initial appeal, and earlier this year our Chancellor had the opportunity to visit the staff and ministries of ELEOS in Poland, witnessing firsthand the remarkable work being carried out by the Polish Orthodox Church on behalf of those who continue to suffer the consequences of this conflict.
As this terrible war continues, so too does our responsibility to stand with our suffering brothers and sisters. For this reason, I am grateful that the Orthodox Church in America is able once again to support this sacred work through our partnership with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). Working together with ELEOS, IOCC has provided compassionate and practical assistance to thousands of Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Through this partnership, vulnerable families have received emergency financial assistance to meet their most basic needs. Church-owned properties have been adapted to provide safe shelter for newly arrived refugees. Community Integration Centers have offered legal guidance, housing assistance, employment counseling, and access to a national refugee information service. Thousands of refugees have participated in Polish language classes, hundreds of children have received daycare services, and vocational training, together with small business grants, has enabled many families to begin rebuilding their livelihoods with dignity and hope.
Yet, despite these encouraging signs, the need remains great. Countless families continue to depend upon the generosity of the faithful as they strive to rebuild their lives after the trauma of war and displacement. Together with IOCC, we hope to raise $50,000 to continue providing the resources and opportunities that help Ukrainian refugees move from uncertainty toward stability and hope.
I therefore encourage all who are able to prayerfully consider making a generous contribution to IOCC’s ongoing ministry to Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
As we continue to pray for a just and lasting peace, let us also remember that our prayers find their fullest expression in works of mercy. In caring for those who have been displaced by war, we bear witness to the love of Christ Himself, who identifies with the stranger, the suffering, and the afflicted. May the Lord bless all who give generously to this worthy effort and strengthen those who labor to bring hope to our brothers and sisters in need.
With paternal love in Christ,
TIKHON
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada
