Zaporozhye, Zaporozhye Province, Ukraine, January 20, 2025
Photo: amazonaws.com
The Zaporozhye Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is asking for help to restore the St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Zaporozhye that suffered serious damage over the weekend.
The roof, dome, ceilings, windows, and classrooms at the church were damaged by shelling on Saturday morning, January 18, reports the Information-Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Photo: Facebook
At the same time, a large icon of St. Andrew the First-Called, painted by nuns of the St. Nicholas Convent in Patras, Greece, survived almost completely undamaged.
The icon also contains particles of the relics of St. Andrew and particles of the cross he was crucified on.
His Eminence Metropolitan Luke of Zaporozhye writes mournfully:
It pains the heart to look at our wounded cathedral, which was damaged on the eve of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: The roof has collapsed, the ceiling has fallen in, windows are shattered, and the murals are damaged. We remember the words of Holy Scripture: For Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people (Is. 56:7). And today, this house needs our collective help. St. Andrew’s Cathedral is not only a cultural treasure for the residents of our city but also a center of prayer and grace, a place where we can share the joy of Eucharistic communion and unite in Christ.
Through today’s tragedy, the Lord tests our faith, for He knows that in the last days faith will weaken. And what do we see when we look at what’s happening? The Gospel tells us: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (Jas. 2:17). But instead of confirming their faith through good works and helping to restore the cathedral, some express anger, seek revenge, turning to the Lord not with requests for mercy, but asking for one thing only—punishment.
Photo: amazonaws.com
Thank God, among us there are many people whose faith is manifested not in pronouncing curses, but in doing good. Currently, parishioners are cleaning the church premises and surrounding territory, however, for full restoration, help is needed in the form of construction materials for repair work. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).
Addressing you, my dear ones, I ask you to confirm your faith not by word but by deed, your love for our Lord Jesus Christ, and contribute to the godly cause of restoring St. Andrew’s Cathedral! May all your donations—whether a penny or labor—be a blessing for you, and may the Almighty Lord send His grace upon everyone who responds to the call to restore our holy church!
Remember that only those who believe sincerely, truly, and not just “in their soul” will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Details for donations towards repairing St. Andrew’s Cathedral:
Cathedral’s PrivatBank card: 5169335100176581
Or to its account:
Recipient name: RO RG UOC ST. ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL (РО РГ УПЦ СВЯТО-АНДРІЇВСЬКОГО СОБОРУ)
Recipient code: 20523831
Recipient account: UA113133990000026003010201822
Bank name: Zaporizhzhia RB AT KB PrivatBank (Запорiзьке РУ АТ КБ “ПриватБанк”)
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