NEW YORK: May 26, 2016
The Synodal Youth Committee is Thanked by Bishop Longin of Bancheni

From the Editors: During Great Lent, the Synodal Youth Department launched a program called "Schoolhouse Piggy Bank" to collect donations from parish schools and children's organization of the Russian Church Abroad in North America, amounting to over $10,000 to benefit Holy Ascension Monastery's orphanage in Bancheni, Ukraine. During a recent pilgrimage to the holy sites of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Synodal Youth Choir, headed by His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan and Protopriest Andrei Sommer, Vice President of the Synodal Youth Department, delivered the collection to the orphanage. During their visit, the choir performed for the children and administration, and Vladyka Nicholas blessed everyone with a gift of a painted copy of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" in an embroidered riza which had at one time adorned the original icon. Below is the text of a letter of thanks received by His Grace Bishop Longin of Bancheni.

Honorable Father Andrei, Dear in the Lord!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you for the charitable aid provided to Holy Ascension Men's Monastery and the children of its orphanage. I recognize your labors in your difficult work, expressed in this letter of thanks.

On behalf of the believers, especially the children, during this difficult time in Orthodox lands, and from me personally, I thank you and the children of the North American dioceses of the Russian Church Abroad for your aid, which is so crucially needed.

I have enormous gratitude, and bow before you all on behalf of our orphaned, handicapped children, for whom everything you collected from the children of American Rus and donated is crucial in these times of crisis.

It is with special warmth that I recall the youth choir's performance for the children, which produced an atmosphere of peace that filled every heart, instilling in every heart a special, sacred meaning, inspired all to work on our own striving for personal perfection.

We hope for continued collaboration with you in the name of goodness, light, peace and well-being!

I wish you good health! May the Lord receive all your prayers and may the good that you do be returned to you a hundred-fold!

With profound respect,

+LONGIN,
Bishop of Bancheni.