Metr. Onuphry Gives Backpacks to More Than 200 Displaced Children

KYIV — Metr. Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine held a prayer service for students and teachers at the Church of St. Agapitus of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on August 30, ahead of the beginning of the new academic year. The service took place following the Divine Liturgy on the 13th Sunday after Pentecost.

During the service, prayers were offered for God’s blessing, assistance, and guidance for students and teachers as they began their studies. Metr. Onuphry also blessed those present by sprinkling the children and others gathered at the church with holy water.

Following the service, the annual “Knapsack of Mercy” charitable campaign was held. The initiative is organized by the Synodal Department of the UOC for Social and Humanitarian Issues and takes place each year before September 1 with the blessing and support of Metr. Onuphry.

As part of this year’s campaign, Metr. Onuphry presented school backpacks filled with necessary supplies to more than 200 children from internally displaced families. The event provided practical assistance to children preparing to begin another school year.

Archpriest Sergiy Ekshiyan, head of the Synodal Department for Social and Humanitarian Issues, thanked Metr. Onuphry and all those who have supported the department’s charitable initiatives. The annual campaign combined prayer for the coming school year with direct assistance to children from families affected by displacement.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Moscow and Kyiv marked the Baptism of Rus anniversary with separate celebrations.