Celebrating the Transfiguration of the Lord in penitentiary institutions of Ukraine

The Transfiguration of the Lord was celebrated in penitentiary institutions of Ukraine on the 22^nd and 23^rd of August. In Kyiv, money was collected to buy the traditional offering of honey and fruits in preparation for the exhibition “Transfiguration through God’s Love.” More and more faithful are being drawn to the cause of good ministering in prisons. Through their donations, 80 liters of honey and 295 kg of apples were bought. The gifts were blessed in Pryluky, Chernihiv region, where there was a prayer meeting on August 22 for youth at the Colony for Minors.  Vitaliy Hordienko took part in this event as a volunteer.  Being in court and under investigation is a tough process for those who are imprisoned. The blessed honey and apples were given to the penitentiary staff as well as the women, teenagers and the ill who are under arrest in Lukyanivska IIZO (Investigative Isolator- “SIZO” in Ukrainian). From prison room to prison room, holy water and gifts along with a sermon about the essence and spiritual meaning behind the Transfiguration as well as about the tireless faith of the Church in the potential of transfiguration of a person through faith, hope and love was delivered by Deacon Kostyantyn and Sister Veronica (Kishko), mother superior of the Community of Sisters of the Innocent Heart of Maria of Fatima.  Similar events took place in Chernihiv, Donets’k, L’viv, Ivano-Frankivs’k, Chortkiv, Berezhany, Dobryvoda and in other cities and villages, where priests and faithful of the UGCC serve in penitentiary institutions.

Information was given by Deacon Kostyantyn Panteley