On Sunday, all churches affiliated with the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate organised memorial services for Ukraine conflict victims. The initiative belonged to Fr Nicolae Lauruc who leads the ecclesiastical structure of the Romanian Patriarchate dedicated to Ukrainian believers. The vicariate has assisted Ukrainians and refugees, totalling around 360,000 euros.

Marking the 2nd anniversary of the war, priests and devout Ukrainians offered prayers for the eternal rest of the souls of civilians and soldiers who perished in the conflict.

“Since the beginning, the Vicariate has assisted Ukrainians impacted by the conflict. The most extensive philanthropic endeavour in the Vicariate’s history was executed with the direct participation and coordination of Vicar Nicolae Lauruc, Deans Petru Rahovan and Petru Rosoca, believers, volunteers, and dozens of charitable organisations from around the world,” said Father Marius N. Lauruc, counsellor within the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate.

The services on Sunday commemorated two years since Russia initiated hostilities against Ukraine.

So far, the Vicariate has provided assistance to those impacted by the conflict in the approximate amount of 360,000 euros. The support was offered to Ukrainian refugees in Romania but also those who remained in the country. A good collaboration between the Vicariate and Ukrainian NGOs provided this help.

The entire quantity of aid provided by the Romanian Patriarchate to Ukrainian refugees in Romania and those impacted by the conflict within Ukraine during the initial half-year period following the outbreak of hostilities was 7.6 million euros.

Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate

Canonically subordinate to the Romanian Patriarchate, the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate is an administrative-territorial entity that serves the Ukrainian Orthodox faithful residing in Romania. Attendees engage in religious services conducted in their mother tongue by Ukrainian clergy or individuals proficient in the Ukrainian language.

At present, the Vicariate is situated in Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș county, and comprises members primarily from Maramureș, Transylvania, Crișana, and Banat in the north and west of Romania.

Photography courtesy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate