The following are final updates on the financial appeal from the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) asking for support for refugees fleeing the Ukraine (The OCA has closed the intial collection page, but is asking that any additional donations be directed to the IOCC - details below).
Update: Refugee Relief final donation tally (Thurs, March 17th):
The Orthodox Church in America’s appeal for donations for the Ukrainian refugee crisis has ended, raising over $650,000 for ELEOS. All donations which arrive later by mail will be sent on at a later date. Thank you for your generosity.
Update: Refugee Relief Donation Page Closed (Thurs, March 17th):
The OCA’s donation collection page for the Ukrainian relief fund is now closed. Thank you for your generosity! Please continue to give alms and support those who are fleeing the violence and hostilities in Ukraine. Donations can be made at International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).
Update on Refugee Relief Appeal (Tues, March 8th):
Archpriest Alexander Rentel, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, made the following statement today:
In response to the appeal from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, the Orthodox Church in America has raised over $433,000 today as of 2:00 PM EST. All the money collected will be sent shortly to ELEOS, the humanitarian agency of the Polish Orthodox Church, in order to assist them with humanitarian crisis in Poland because of the refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The donation portal on oca.org/relief remains open, however, until the middle of next week, March 16, in order to receive further donations for this same purpose. Shortly after March 16, the Orthodox Church in America will make another transfer of money, whatever is collected by that point, to ELEOS. Please note, the donation portal will shut down at the close of business on March 16, 2022.
Original OCA Appeal notice (Tues, March 1st) :
Dear Parishioners and Friends of the Saint George Albanian Orthodox Church!
Christ is in our midst!
A short time ago, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon made an appeal for financial aid for refugees of the war in Ukraine. Individual parishioners are being directed to oca.org/relief to make a tax deductible donation.
These donations will be passed on to ELEOS, the humanitarian agency of the Polish Orthodox Church and which is registered with the Polish government. ELEOS will be dealing directly with caring for the refugees and meeting their basic needs.
We have already received almost five thousand dollars in the first two hours. Donations are being called for from February 28th to March 7th.
His Beatitude is asking specifically for individual donations, not necessarily parish-wide collections. The reason for this is to ensure the financial support reaches ELEOS as quickly as possible as the refugee crisis continues to unfold. Time is of the essence.
Please reach out to your parishes and encourage the members of your communities to give quickly and generously.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Also, please click onto the attached link to view the direct appeal from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon: Met Tikhon Appeal Ukrainain Refugee Relief
Thank you for your support - your generosity is truly needed at this time.
