Archpriest Mikhail Potokin, Vice-Chairman of the Synodal Department for Charity, arrived in Kursk

On August 15, 2024, Archpriest Mikhail Potokin, vice chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service and Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission, arrived in Kursk.The priest visited the Holy Trinity Monastery in Kursk, where work is underway to organize a comprehensive church center to help migrants, met with the abbess of the monastery Susanna (Barykina), and talked with volunteers and staff of the aid center.

On the same day, he met with representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk. At the meeting with Metropolitan Herman they discussed issues of pastoral care for the wounded in hospitals and church assistance to refugees in temporary accommodation centers. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Synodal Department for Charity — Deacon Igor Kulikov, head of the sector for cooperation with dioceses, Natalia Kulieva, coordinator of regional headquarters for refugee aid, and Vasily Rulinsky, press secretary.

Metropolitan German.

«We are very happy about your arrival. You will familiarize yourself with the state of affairs on the spot, what is happening here, what kind of church assistance is being provided. And, of course, the most important thing is that we will open a comprehensive church center with you. The center of assistance to migrants in the center of our city in Holy Trinity Monastery», — noted Metropolitan Herman at a meeting with Father Michael Potokin.

«First of all, I would like to say that not only Moscow, but all the dioceses are very worried about you.

«First of all, I would like to say that not only Moscow, but all the dioceses are very worried about you. People are very excited, everyone wants to help in some way, to serve in some way. Our task now is to help the victims as much as possible, to make people realize that they are not alone. The Synodal Department for Charity has a hotline, which can be contacted for any help», — said Father Michael Potokin during the meeting.

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At the meeting, representatives of the Synodal Department for Charity shared their experience of organizing aid in the conflict zone in different cities: Mariupol, Severodonetsk, Luhansk, Donetsk, Lisichansk and other cities. Metropolitan German noted that certain parishes of the Kursk Diocese have been assigned to the temporary accommodation points for refugees. He also spoke about the work of the humanitarian aid distribution point at the diocesan youth department.

The participants of the meeting discussed the church's assistance to the victims in the temporary accommodation centers.

On preparations for the opening of the church center for assistance to migrants in the Holy Trinity Monastery in Kursk Natalia Kulieva said. The participants of the meeting discussed the coordination of the reception of humanitarian cargoes, the issues of recruitment of staff and search for volunteers to the aid centers, search for relatives.

On the same day, Father Mikhail Potokin met with representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations  — Vadim Izhukin, head of staff of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Kursk region, Victor Montsev, deputy head of the main department «National Center for Crisis Management» and Yaroslav Legeida, head of the department of civil defense and population protection of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

Afterward, Father Mikhail Potokin and the staff of the Synodal Department for Charity visited the temporary accommodation center for refugees, located in the circus of Kursk, where they brought humanitarian aid to the victims. The aid was donated by the Church in honor of the Resurrection of the Word on Uspensky Vrazhk in Moscow. Today 102 people are accommodated in the TAC in the hotel at the circus, more than 1000 people receive aid here every day, more than 200 volunteers help. During the visit, Father Michael Potokin was told about the needs of the people and discussed the possibilities of supporting the victims.

The victims of shelling in the Kursk region can apply for any help by calling the hotline number of the Synodal Department for the 8 800 70-70-222. The call is free and the line is open 24 hours a day. You can also offer your help with housing for the victims by calling the hotline at 8 800 70-70-222.

A collection of humanitarian aid for refugees from border regions has been announced in the church headquarters for refugees in Moscow, created under the Synodal Department for Charity.

Long-life food, hygiene products and bedding are asked to bring to the Church headquarters for refugees in Moscow, located at the following address: Moscow, Nikoloyamskaya Street, 49, building 3 (from 10 to 19 daily). Online delivery from stores can be made to the same address. You can also order to the address of the nearest Ozon (Nikoloyamskaya, 43) and Wildberries (Nikoloyamskaya, 62) and specify the recipient: Afanasievskaya Yulia, tel. +7 919 245-05-03.