Moscow, June 2, 2014
"Bearing in mind the church tradition to intensify fasting and prayer in times of trouble, Metropolitan Hilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol has blessed his flock to go on a strict fast from Monday, June 2, until Saturday, June 7 before the Holy Trinity Day and pray much for peace and cessation of the military conflict," the press service for the Donetsk Diocese has reported.
In his address to the flock, Metropolitan Hilarion reiterated that those who violate God's commandments "through military conflicts, anger, false propaganda, condemnation, and lack of mercy condemn themselves to God's judgment."
Over the past weekend, the Donetsk Diocese gave insulin drugs to people suffering from diabetes. Three special containers were taken to the Donetsk Transfiguration Cathedral. The drugs were purchased with money raised by parishioners from the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, Canada, to whom the diocese had turned for help.
The churches of Gorlovka, Donetsk Region, are raising assistance for Slavyansk hospitals, mainly food and medications, in the period between June 1 and June 7. The list of what is needed is available for viewing on the Gorlovka Diocese website.