Bishop Vasyl Tuchapets visited the city of Izium
On Friday, March 24, Bishop Vasyl Tuchapets, Exarch of Kharkiv, visited the town of Izium, Kharkiv Oblast. With Fr. Petro Maika, the bishop prayed a memorial service at the mass graves of the fallen Ukrainians.
Bishop Vasyl also met with residents of the city, who spoke about their apprehensions and needs. “Most of all, people complain that they do not have jobs, and many have damaged or destroyed housing. The city is destroyed, although there is electricity and gas here,” said the Exarch of Kharkiv.
Father Petro Maika, the administrator of the UGCC parish of St. George in Izium, shares: “I distribute humanitarian aid to the victims and those in need all the time. There are many people in the city with disabilities and older people who need special care. Moreover, we want to help those whose homes are destroyed so that people have at least a roof over their heads.”
Izium was under Russian occupation for about six months. During this time, it endured difficult times: local activists and patriots were executed, and ordinary people barely survived in basements without water, electricity, and gas. Finally, in September 2022, Ukrainian troops liberated Izyum, and the city is slowly rehabilitating after the occupation.
The press service of Kharkiv Exarchate of the UGCC
