February 25, Dear Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Glory to Jesus Christ!

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Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Consistory Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Natalie Kapeluck Nixon Director PO Box 869 Carnegie, PA 15106 412-279-1076 uocyouth@aol.

1 Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Consistory Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Natalie Kapeluck Nixon Director PO Box 869 Carnegie, PA February 25, 2015 Dear Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Glory to Jesus Christ! The Great Lent Giveaway(GLG) is designed to give our youth the opportunity to do good works for others during Great Lent. In addition to doing good works, they learn more about their faith and devote additional time to learning, prayer and fasting during this season of preparation for Pascha. The GLG is a joint project with the Jr. Ukrainian Orthodox League. With the blessing of our Hierarchs, the GLG of 2015 will benefit the refugees of the Ukraine Conflict through the Ukrainian Aid Fund of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The Ukrainian Aid Fund was established by the Hierarchs of our archdiocese following the tragic events in February 2014 when one hundred individuals lost their lives. This year we are asking that all youth of our church support this effort by helping to raise funds for and awareness through the Great Lent Giveaway about those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Our financial goal is to raise $3,000 for this program. You will find in this packet a suggested outline for conducting the GLG. We encourage you to construct a program using the full program materials, as well as your own ideas, to make the GLG more than just a fundraising effort. A program that is carried out throughout Great Lent will help the youth of your parish to more fully understand the importance and beauty of almsgiving during fasting periods. The full program is designed for the target ages of However, it may easily be reworked for younger ages. There also additional resources available on-line for all ages groups. The GLG program may be used any time throughout the year, not just during Great Lent. Please modify it for your needs. In an effort to reduce consumption of resources and live as better caretakers of our Lord s creation, the full program is available in one of two ways: 1. Downloadable on-line at - Offices of Ministry Office of Youth Ministry 2. Requesting a printed version from the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry This year we are conducting the program a bit differently, in that the sessions will be made available each Wednesday of Great Lent. Please send us feed back concerning our new distribution method at uocyouth@aol.com or by phone at In Christ s Love, Natalie Kapeluck Nixon Director Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Proverbs

2 GREAT LENT GIVEAWAY Blessed are the Peacemakers Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Jr. Ukrainian Orthodox League of the USA 2015 Benefiting those affected by the Conflict in Ukraine Objective: To instill in our youth the true meaning of Great Lent by: 1. Providing displaced, injured and financially burdened individuals aid 2. Learning more about their faith 3. Discovering how to become peacemakers in our lives through caring and giving 4. Devoting more time to prayer GLG Project: Collecting funds for distribution by the Ukrainian Aid Fund and deepen our faith during Great Lent. Steps for initiating and sustaining the Great Lent Giveaway throughout Great Lent this program may be divided into several sessions or one retreat: 1. Each Wednesday of Great Lent, a new session of the GLG programming curriculum will be provided for download at or uocyouth@aol.com 2. At your first gathering/meeting discuss the Great Lent Giveaway. See the attached outline for your first discussion. At this gathering you will want to decide how you will raise your funds. 3. Have the youth present their ideas for collection of the items. Take time to discuss all of the proposals. Ask them to decide, based upon the presented plans, on a game plan as to how you will accomplish your goals. 4. Establish with the participants a weekly time to gather (once or more) and to utilize the provided curriculum to learn more about Ukrainian Aid Fund, What is a Peacemaker?, Why does God allow War, Becoming a Peacemaker and to discuss progress with the collection. 5. Collect and forward the donations to the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry or the National Jr. UOL Financial Secretary. For questions contact the GLG Coordinator or OYM Office. Great Lent Giveaway Jr. Ukrainian Orthodox League Jr. Ukrainian Orthodox League Office of Youth Ministry Kateryna Kocelko GLG Coordinator Sarah Hershey Financial Secretary PO Box 869 kdkcutie25@yahoo.com trackstar547@gmail.com Carnegie, PA Contact for Address Contact for Address uocyouth@aol.com 6. Wrap up the project and have a celebration event with the youth on St. Thomas Sunday you may continue collecting funds until July 20, 2015 or bring them to the Ukrainian Orthodox League Convention in Northampton, PA July 23-26, Funds MUST be submitted no later than July 23 rd.

GLG 2014 Focus on Giving Outline for Initial Discussion Needed Items: White Board or a notebook for you to keep notes on discussion Ukrainian Orthodox Church of USA Press Releases An Invitation to

3 GLG 2014 Focus on Giving Outline for Initial Discussion Needed Items: White Board or a notebook for you to keep notes on discussion Ukrainian Orthodox Church of USA Press Releases An Invitation to Give by Be the Bee _r8bjtrcwpwxsupdjhdzjsq_zg Calendar 1. Begin your gathering in Prayer. Being that Great Lent has begun you could choose to have your first discussion following one of the weekday services. If choosing the weekend, perhaps plan to cook a lenten meal together. Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power and idle talk. But rather, grant unto me thy servant, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. Yes Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother for blessed are you to the ages of ages. Amen. 2. Take a moment to discuss the purpose of the Great Lent Giveaway as outlined in the How To. Ask the participants, What is Great Lent preparing us for? Pascha The Church in its wisdom always provides us with tools in our journey to Christ to help us along the way. Many tools are given to us during Great Lent on our journey to Pascha can you name them? Increased Prayer, Additional Divine Services, Fasting, Almsgiving/Christian Love and Charity. At this point watch the episode of Be the Bee. Ask the group what their thoughts are concerning what they watched. How is this relevant to the Great Lent Giveaway? 3. Proceed with the following, Now that we have a jumping off point as to why we participate in the Great Lent Giveaway, let s learn about the who will be benefitting from our work the recipients of the Ukrainian Aid Fund. Read one or all of the press releases from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Ask the participants the following questions: What did you learn about the crisis in Ukraine? What popped out at you concerning the ministry this fund provides? Did you know that our Archdiocese was reaching out in such a way? What types of Christian Almsgiving/outreach does our parish support/participate in? Have you ever participated in aiding someone in crisis? Allow time for all to contribute something here. If they have not had the opportunity, point out that this is a great first experience. 4. Let s discuss how we are going to participate in the GLG this year. Wrap up the discussion by moving into the final points of the GLG How To. 5. Complete the session in prayer. Perhaps the meeting could be held prior to a lenten service and the youth could pray together in this way.

UOC of the USA Delivers Financial Aid to Ukraine Press Release from the Office of Public Relations UOC of USA February 25, 2014 As thousands of Ukrainian-American citizens of the United States of

4 UOC of the USA Delivers Financial Aid to Ukraine Press Release from the Office of Public Relations UOC of USA February 25, 2014 As thousands of Ukrainian-American citizens of the United States of America and throughout the world took the message of human rights and freedom to the streets of their cities and respective communities, the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, through the guidance of their spiritual fathers Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel began fervent participation in Prayer services for their ancestral homeland. The Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in the formal statement, released by the Consistory Office of Public Relations stated: The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA calls upon the authorities, to halt the assault on the Ukrainian people and to begin peaceful democratic negotiations. We solemnly remind all that the way to resolve conflicts must be through diplomacy and dialogue. Courage is necessary to go beyond the boundaries of the conflict and to look at other with human dignity, so that in that dignity unity might prevail over conflict. In that dignity, only, will it be possible to build a path to common understanding and the end of conflicts. The political demagoguery, brutality and abuse must cease immediately. Yet the desire for peaceful resolution was not realized. Nebesna Sotnia of young people, mostly students, lost their lives from the hands of the so-called protectors of basic freedoms of any society. May their memory be eternal! Realizing the need for immediate aid, the hierarchs of the Church addressed the parishes and the faithful and friends of the UOC of the USA with the following request: As the news agencies around the world have informed, the situation in Ukraine has become worse, almost beyond comprehension, to the point that the government is deliberately firing into crowds of demonstrators in Independence Square in Kyiv with horrific results in the deaths of now over one hundred people. It appears that the lessons of history have not been learned and the murder of the citizenry is utilized to maintain control or for the good of the nation. This does not excuse those among the demonstrators who have at times gone beyond the definition of peaceful demonstrations in excessive attacks on public institutions and personnel. The deliberate and indiscriminate attack, however, of government forces with live rifle ammunition, grenades and more, upon the masses goes far beyond the bounds of civilized response. "In the past we have urged our faithful, if they have a desire to do so, to contribute funds in support of peaceful demonstrators, through already established funds at such places as local credit unions, etc. We have now become aware, however, that the government of Ukraine has blocked the banks of Ukraine from receiving funds from abroad and the disposition of funds already transferred funds is unknown. Therefore we are issuing this urgent appeal for contributions, which will be delivered in person to the proper individuals, for the medical care of the hundreds of people who have been injured, some very severely, during the difficult days of this

week. Your contribution may be the primary reason that another human being receives the treatment necessary for recovery. The faithful responded!

5 week. Your contribution may be the primary reason that another human being receives the treatment necessary for recovery. The faithful responded! The parishes heard the appeal, and immediately, in several hours following the release of the statement, a sum of $10,000 was collected for the people of Ukraine. While the funds were being prepared for delivery, other parishes and Church organizations declared their commitment and willingness to help in the following days. It is expected that the final amount will reach at least $50,000. Listening to the urgent appeals from Ukraine, and seeing the images of portable hospitals being established in churches and community centers throughout Kyiv, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, His Grace Bishop Daniel President of the Consistory of the Church traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine delivering the first $10,000 to those in need. The images you see - are the images of prayerful memorials on the main street of Kyiv. Vladyka Daniel, escorted by professor Taras Myronyuk of Kyiv Hrinchenko University, visited three portable community centers and hospitals during the first two days of his visit to Ukraine, one of them established at St. Michael s Golden Dome Ukrainian Orthodox Monastery. Meeting with doctors and the wounded the bishop related the love, prayerful support and solidarity of the entire Ukrainian-American, and especially Ukrainian Orthodox communities with the people of Ukraine. His Grace stated: Just a few days ago, the faithful of the UOC of the USA gathered in their parishes to hold prayer services for the deceased and wounded. " Today, I visit this Maidan and it still breaks my heart to look at the flowers scattered on the main street of Kyiv, honoring the memory of wounded and dead people. These people - our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, our children how can we handle such expressions of violence? - Those that are in the positions of leadership must leave behind the self-interest that hardens their heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive towards others, conquer your deadly reasoning, and open yourself to dialogue, reconciliation and accountability before the people of Ukraine The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America prays for the people of Ukraine and a peaceful transition of power, as the nation under the protection of the Birth- Giver of God begins the process of healing and rebuilding Later in the week, Bishop Daniel is scheduled to travel to several regions (oblasti) of Ukraine, in order to meet with the families of the lost and those that were wounded during the conflict and receiving medical treatments in Ukraine and abroad. Addition information and photos, describing Vladyka Daniel s trip will be posted as they become available. GLG Handout Page 2 UOC Press Release 1

Commemorating the First Anniversary of the Repose of the Heavenly Hundred during the tragic events of February 18-20, 2014 in Kyiv, Ukraine Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ: GLORY TO OUR LORD!

6 Commemorating the First Anniversary of the Repose of the Heavenly Hundred during the tragic events of February 18-20, 2014 in Kyiv, Ukraine Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ: GLORY TO OUR LORD! As we approach the first anniversary of the still incomprehensible murder of over 100 Ukrainian citizens on the Maidan in Kyiv simply because they stood for the freedom of choice in their nation without control or manipulation from other nations we your hierarchs and a delegation from our Council of the Metropolia are traveling to Ukraine. In Kyiv and hopefully on the Maidan, we will participate with the Hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, all of us representing the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops beyond the Borders of Ukraine, in a Memorial Service for those lost not only on the Maidan, but also for the more than 5,300 other people lost in the battle against terrorism and foreign invasion over the past year. As we stated during the 40 th day memorial service for the Nebesna Sotnya (The Heavenly Hundred) in the Ukrainian Cultural Center in March 2014, by all human calculations, Ukraine should not even exist today having suffered cataclysm after cataclysm after cataclysm throughout her history during which so many millions of people perished and millions more who were never born because those who perished were unable to give them life. How can a nation continue to exist and endure if its population cannot grow through the birth of successive generations? It is by the Grace of God that Ukraine exists. Once again, we GLG Handout Page 1 UOC Press Release 2

7 encourage you all to pray fervently for Ukraine, especially to the Mother of God who has always extended her veil of protection over her people. We awaken each morning over the past years asking ourselves: how can this be happening to Ukraine again? How is it that a nation already independent for twenty-four years cannot be accepted as such by her neighbors? How can those neighbors still claim to have rights to any part of Ukraine that have no moral, legal or logical foundation? What is important to remember at this first anniversary of the Maidan murders as we commemorate these fallen heroes is that they were not simply following the example of earlier martyrs for truth in Ukrainian history. They were standing firm for truth and human dignity in response to the circumstances of today standing against those who would sell Ukraine s independence once again to foreign invaders. None of them expected or wanted to die. None of them expected that their very deaths would be the catalyst for abrupt change in the life of their nation with a corrupt president fleeing from the knowledge that his corruption was about to be revealed, abandoning any possible claim to his presidency or legitimacy before the world community. But, their very deaths were the last straw that changed the life of the nation instantly. Their deaths forced a corrupt government to realize that its days were over and that it could no longer squander the wealth of the nation of the people. Their deaths resulted in a new government leadership placing very surprised members of the Verkovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) in authority and finally in the election of a new President and Rada, which leads the nation today. Their deaths provoked a self-examination of the membership of the former ruling party, finally bringing on the realization that they were on the wrong side of truth. What the world needs to comprehend is that, which the people of Ukraine have known for generations: Heroes do not die! ( Heroyi ne vmirayut! ) They live on in the collective memory of the nation and give rise to future heroes who will continue to stand firm in truth. We ask all of you, our faithful spiritual children, to remember that such heroism is never wasted or useless. It reaches not only the minds of the nation s population but the minds of the world in particular the czars, the commandants, unidentified invaders and even the presidents who refuse to accept the new world reality and want to recreate empires. They speak to proclaim: we will not die! No longer will you be free to murder millions of us through starvation, by freezing us during long cold winters or dropping your abundance of destructive bombs. Beneath all the attempts to wipe the Ukrainian nation out of existence and off the world map, the Ukrainian self-identity has survived and always resulted in the rebirth of a stronger nation. Heroes do not die! We direct that on 22 February, 2015 all our parish clergy shall serve Memorial Services commemorating the Nebesnya Sotnya and the 5,300 + other victims who have perished over the past year. May their memory live eternally in God s Heavenly Kingdom and may the spirit of their sacrifice be imbedded within each of us to inspire our own will to stand firm in the truth. Further, we ask that a special collection be made this day for the Ukrainian Aid Fund established by our Church almost a year ago. Thus far, we have distributed nearly $200,000 of that aid Bishop Daniel handing it directly to individual recipients and not organizations. We will distribute more of this aid during the present visit to Ukraine. May the Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Please keep our delegation in your prayers as we travel through the end of February. In our Lord s All-encompassing Love, + Antony, Metropolitan + Daniel, Bishop GLG Handout Page 2 UOC Press Release 2

Hierarchs of the UOC of the USA Visit Wounded Soldiers of Ukrainian Army at the Military Hospital in Lviv, Ukraine February 22, 2015 Please, stay with us for another moment and offer us a blessing

8 Hierarchs of the UOC of the USA Visit Wounded Soldiers of Ukrainian Army at the Military Hospital in Lviv, Ukraine February 22, 2015 Please, stay with us for another moment and offer us a blessing These were the words of one of the wounded soldiers at Lviv Regional Military Hospital which was visited by His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Grace Bishop Daniel on Sunday, February 22, 2015 following their arrival to Lviv. Some 35 recently wounded soldiers from Debaltsevo battlefield became the latest recipients of the charitable assistance of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA offered through the generosity of the parish communities and the faithful of the Church. Both hierarchs of the Church, escorted by Very Rev. Oleh Drevnick, visited the adopted hospital of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in order to share in the moment of prayer, reflection and encouragement as young soldiers of Ukrainian Armed forces receive medical treatments following the sad reality of painful war injuries. A number of young men expressed their love for the homeland and a sincere desire to return back to their battle-buddies, protecting the nation of Ukraine from Russian aggression. Over $26,000 were delivered and distributed by the hierarchs of the UOC of the USA to the wounded soldiers and refugees as the delegation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA traveled to Ukraine in order to participate in the commemoration services of Maidan s Heavenly Hundred. Moreover, the Church made a donation towards the purchase of medical equipment and ambulances in the amount of $10,000. Speaking with the medical staff of the hospital, Bishop Daniel referred to his own military service in the US, recalling the need for spiritual, physical and intellectual care of the patients. Moreover, the bishop mentioned the need for prayer and patience, as the recovery time is often lengthy and painful. Vladyka Daniel reflected The armed forces are engaged in irregular warfare against a new kind of enemy, and they face improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers, and combat operations on a daily basis. This form of combat is causing significantly increased Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as other horrific physical and psychological wounds Another matter of concern are the psychological effects upon family members, as hundreds of thousands of children are experiencing the draft and deployment of a parent as the sad reality of war and technology bring the horrors of war into their homes. These warriors, veterans are returning home from the current conflicts with Traumatic Brain Injury, lost or mangled limbs and other catastrophic injuries. Modern medicine and the availability of air transportation to the military medical facilities mean that these wounded warriors can now survive such trauma Survival, however, usually means extensive recovery and rehabilitation in a military facility Clearly the wounded soldiers need prayer support as their numbers continue to grow, and the lack of professionally trained chaplains is often an issue of major concern for spiritual and physical and psychological recovery. Speaking to the wounded soldiers Metropolitan Antony encouraged the young men to patiently submit themselves to medical doctors who tirelessly work on their recovery and the ability to return back to their loved ones. "For over a year now, the faithful of the UOC of the USA gather in their parishes to hold prayer services for the suffering, wounded and deceased. Today, both Bishop Daniel and I visit these brave men with a profound sense of gratitude for their service and GLG Handout Page 1 UOC Press Release 3

9 the ultimate sacrifice that so many of them have made. Today, we bring with us the prayerful well wishes of the clergy and the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA concluded Metropolitan Antony, bidding farewell to some 60 soldiers in the military hospital wards of Lviv Regional Military Hospital. Over 250 wounded Ukrainian soldiers became recipients of over $200,000 since the beginning of war in Ukraine. GLG Handout Page 2 UOC Press Release 3

March 10, Dear Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Glory to Jesus Christ!

March 10, Dear Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Glory to Jesus Christ! Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Consistory Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Natalie Kapeluck Nixon Director PO Box 869 Carnegie, PA 15106 412-279-1076 uocyouth@aol.com March 10, 2016 Dear Reverend