UOC Deacon Dies After Saving Child From Drowning in Finland

FINLAND — A deacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), Vladyslav Volkov, has died following a drowning incident on June 21 while he was attempting to rescue a child from a water hazard in Finland.

According to an account shared by Fr. Sylvester Shevchenko, Volkov was by the water when he saw a child struggling in a whirlpool-like current. He is said to have entered the water and succeeded in bringing the child to safety, but was unable to return to shore himself. Emergency efforts followed, but he was later confirmed to have died.

Volkov was a young father of two small children, aged three years and one year, and the only son of his parents. Church acquaintances described him as deeply involved in parish life from a young age, first serving in minor church roles before eventually completing seminary training and being ordained to the diaconate.

Following the incident, clergy and supporters announced a fundraising effort to assist the family with repatriation costs, estimated at around 5,000 euros. Those who knew Volkov remember a man devoted to serving both God and neighbor, noting that his final act reflected the Gospel teaching he lived by: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

Previously, the UOJ reported that Elder Joseph of St. Nektarios Monastery reposed in the Lord at 76.