The Catholic Church in Russia continues to depend on foreign aid because of its minority status. There are only around 200 Catholic parishes in the country and the faithful are scattered over large areas.
United in prayers during Covid-19
We received several testimonies and gratitude messages from priests belonging to the Archdiocese of Our Lady in Moscow. They share the reality of their local Church in time of Covid 19.
Fr. Daniil Radko – Parish of the Assumption in Nizhnij Novgorod “I have been in quarantine with my mother in Moscow for a month. I celebrate Holy Mass every day with my mother only as presence. I do an online broadcast twice a week so that the believers in Nizhniy Novgorod can at least attend mass at a distance. Many cannot go to church and I try to stay in touch by phone. We also have an online Bible study group. In these days of physical separation from the parish, I especially feel a spiritual unity with the Church, with my local parish and with the people with whom I am connected in a Eucharistic way. I pray for those who suffer. I pray especially for the intentions that have been given to me. This year, I celebrated Easter alone with my mother who took this photo. Although we only prayed together, we knew we were not alone. I also especially pray for benefactors. I am so grateful to them that they order masses without knowing where and by whom they will be celebrated. It is an incredible act of faith in this time of isolation and at the same time of spiritual unity.”
« I am sure that by praying together we will achieve the unity of the Church in the world »
Fr Krystof Bujak, OP – Parish of the Ascension in Kursk.
“Like other parishes in the archdiocese, the parish in Kursk is small, rarely up to 50 faithful come on Sundays. In normal times, with the vicar priest, we receive 1 or 2 Mass stipends per week. As these mass intentions are the only source of income for the priests, without your help, our little church could not live. A contact ban was introduced in our region at the end of March. All services are held without visitors.”
« I would like to express my gratitude to Aid to the Church in Need, as well as to all those who support our local church. »
Fr Michail Tsymljakov – Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Petrozavodsk
“It is a difficult time for all of us. Our church has been closed since March 28 and quarantine has been introduced in Petrozavodsk. But every day, I celebrate Mass for people who participate in prayer through online broadcasting. There were few Mass intentions before, now they are extremely rare.”
« I would like to thank you and all employees of Church in Need for the mass intentions that I receive regularly. »
Fr Alexader Domnikov – Parish Immaculate Conception of Our Lady in Perm.
« My big thanks for this financial support in these difficult times »
