Today, in the Metropolitan Gardens of St. George's Cathedral in Lviv, Studite Hieromonk Makariy (Dutka) will hand over another batch of drones to the 24th King Danylo Brigade. They were purchased for UAH 4 million, which he raised. Fr. Makariy will immediately announce the launch of a fifth million hryvnia fundraiser for the brigade.
"On June 9, I announced that I would raise UAH 3 million, and yesterday, June 20, 11 days later, I raised another million hryvnias with the help of donors," Fr. Makariy told RISU.
Most of all, he was helped by church communities, especially abroad.
Thus, the parishes of the UGCC of the Assumption in Setubal and the Apostles Peter and Paul in Montijo, Portugal, and Fr. Ivan Petliak sent 2 thousand euros.
The parishes of Saints Volodymyr and Olha in Winnipeg and Fr. Ihor Shved, families of children who made their first confession, the "Mothers in Prayer" community, and the married couples community also donated about 2 thousand dollars.
A significant portion of the funds was raised by parishioners of several villages in the Przemysl region, which are close to the Univ Lavra, where Fr. Makariy serves.
According to him, the fundraising was greatly facilitated by the new Ukrainian record in powerlifting he set.
"Another victory at the Championship of Western Ukraine in Lviv, organized by the KRAWA Federation. My bench press result of 213.5 kg in this federation is a new record for Ukraine," said Fr. Makariy.
He dedicated the victory he scored on Father's Day to his father Vasyl.
"Sometimes, when I'm at competitions, my father asks everyone in the house to kneel in front of the icons and pray for my victory. I am happy to have such a strong father," the record holder wrote on his Facebook page.
Hieromonk Makariy (Dutka) invites you to join the fundraiser: "Dear ones, do not congratulate me, but donate so that I can complete the collection of another million for the Armed Forces as soon as possible!"