“Peace Tree’” Initiative in the east of Ukraine

Tuesday, 07 November 2017, 01:09

A joint project of the Bureau of UGCC on environmental issues and Chaplain’s Department of Patriarchal Curia of UGCC with the support of Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources carried out a series of events in the east of the country within an all-Ukrainian initiative “Peace Tree”.

On Saturday November 3, in Druzhkivka village, Donetsk region there were planted peace trees near the garrison chapel of the holy martyrs Borys and Hlib in the place of location of 122th separate aero-mobile battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The event was led by bishop Mykhailo Koltun – head of the Chaplain’s Department of Patriarchal Curia of UGCC. Militaries, military chaplains and volunteers also participated in it.

The initiative was closed with planting Peace Avenue in Druzhba Square, Bahmut village, Donetsk region with the participation of bishop Mykhailo Koltun, head of the Chaplain’s Department of Patriarchal Curia of UGCC, Ostap Semerak, minister of ecology and natural resources of Ukraine, Volodymyr Sheremeta, head of the Bureau of UGCC on environmental issues, Serhyi Natrus, head of the department of ecology and natural resources of Donetsk RSA, major of Bahmut, Oleksyi Reva, military men, military chaplains, locals and believers.

After the Moleben to God the Creator and prayer for peace with God, peace in Ukraine and all over the world, bishop Mykhailo Koltun referred to the participants, drawing his attention to the symbolism of the event and importance of “a shift from a symbol we create to an action, from the peace trees to a new life which would hold God’s peace and love among people as well as treating environment.

According to the minister, a campaign “Peace Tree” has already have its history what is measured not only by years but hectares and thousand hundred trees planted around Ukraine.

“Only an aware decision of each Ukrainian to preserve their nature and country will change an ecological awareness of the nation”, said Ostap Semerak and thanked Church for the initiative.

We remind that this is the third stage of the ecological initiative of UGCC what is held with the support of Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Its development on the regional level is coordinated by eparchial and exarchate referents of the Bureau of UGCC on environmental issues around Ukraine.

Information Center of the Bureau of UGCC on environmental issues