The Patriarchal Pilgrimage Center of the UGCC, thanks to the Patriarchal Foundation "Wise Cause" and the concern of benefactors, continues to carry out evacuation trips from Zaporizhia. Each such trip is filled with unique life stories and emotions, each trip strengthens solidarity between Ukrainians and brings the desired victory day closer.
According to the UGCC Information Department, on July 22-23, another evacuation of Ukrainians from the city of Zaporizhia to safer regions of the state took place. On this trip, 67 people were taken out by bus of the UGCC patriarchal pilgrimage center. 13 people left later in a smaller car.
Most of the displaced persons come from Kherson, Skadovsk, Zalizny port and other temporarily occupied territories. This means that their evacuation took place just during the explosions on the bridge, which affected their feelings.
According to the report, the trip to Lviv was accompanied by a Ukrainian song despite past worries and fear. "These were both folk songs and modern patriotic compositions. Everyone sang: bus drivers, older women, children. The bravest ones who made their way to the microphone to perform solo were rewarded with candies.
"This way, the trip passes faster," says Albina Briliantova, manager of the UGCC Patriarchal Pilgrimage Center.
At the same time, she emphasizes that all passengers behave very politely and politely. It is also noted that after 3-5 days at the checkpoint in Vasylyivka, the bus seems to be a real boon of civilization.
"We were genuinely surprised by the variety of products at our first gas station, and even there, the food seemed very cheap to everyone. After all, according to them, products in the occupied territories are very expensive, and there are no products that will soon deteriorate at all. For example, dairy products...", continues Albina.
In the end, the manager of the Patriarchal Pilgrimage Center of the UGCC noted the good interaction with the volunteers of the Lviv railway station, which was created during the evacuation trips. "We are discussing in advance the number of seats needed in the waiting room for those who go further abroad at dawn. Then they meet us, help us carry our bags, offer us snacks, and so on. This time they even helped bring the dog to a round-the-clock veterinary clinic at night."
On the morning of July 24, some of the evacuated people went to the border with Poland. However, there were not enough seats on buses to Poland for everyone. Therefore, the bus driver of the patriarchal pilgrimage center returned to the station and helped people get to the pedestrian border crossing in Shehyni.