Sumy Diocese of the UOC organizes free evacuation for residents of frontline territories

The Diocese of Sumy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church reports that the Church has organized the evacuation of residents of the border areas of Sumy region who suffer from the increased shelling as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The diocese states that the evacuation to peaceful regions of Ukraine will be free of charge. This is reported by the official website of the Sumy Diocese of the UOC.

“In connection with the intensification of shelling of the border areas of the Sumy region, in particular the settlements of the Krasnopil and Yunakivska communities, where significant destruction of civilian infrastructure has been recorded, the head of the Center for Rehabilitation of Soldiers and Civilians of the Sumy Diocese of the UOC, Archpriest Alexander Petrenko, organizes free evacuation of residents from these dangerous areas. Anyone who needs help with evacuation, please call: 095 511 57 55. We urge residents of the border areas not to delay the evacuation to save their lives and health!”, — the statement reads.

As reported, the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience of Ukraine approved the procedure for granting a deferral from mobilization to representatives of religious organizations in the country. The published information confirms the earlier assumptions that the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will not be among the religious figures exempted from military service.