Categories: Press Releases

HIS GRACE BISHOP ILARION, BISHOP OF EDMONTON AND THE WESTERN EPARCHY, LOCUM TENENS OF THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL UOCC, VISITS MILITARY HOSPITAL IN L’VIV, UKRAINE

During his stay in Ukraine, His Grace Bishop Ilarion, Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan Cathedral UOCC, fulfilled the Lord’s commandment “I was sick and you visited Me.” (Matthew 25:36) 

He has regularly visited the Lviv Military Hospital providing spiritual and financial assistance to wounded Ukrainian soldiers who are defending their homeland from the aggressor in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Edmonton Deanery, Western Eparchy UOCC, created a special  “Wounded Soldier”  fund many years ago. At this time, special assistance was given to a soldier from the Kherson region.

Vlad was wounded in February, 2021 when an explosive bullet fired by an enemy sniper hit him. The bullet pierced the protective helmet on his head and exploded under it, destroying the bones on the right of his skull in the area between the temple, ear and nape, damaging his brain. The hollow in his head was so large that even his fist could fit in that space. There were no funds to cover the procedure needed to repair his skull, and he was forced to wear a bicycle helmet to prevent further injury to his brain. As a result of the operation, the missing head bones were replaced with a titanium plate measuring 90 square centimeters in size. After the operation, the contour of his head became symmetrical, and now there is no need to wear a bicycle helmet. At this time, his ability for speech is gradually being restored, but his left arm and leg are still partially paralyzed.

His Grace Bishop Ilarion is sincerely grateful that the “Wounded Soldier” fund of the Edmonton Deanery, Western Eparchy UOCC, financed this vital operation.

The operation was successful and Vlad will soon return to his wife and two children in the Kherson region and he warmly offers his gratitude  to the Edmonton Deanery of the Western Eparchy UOCC for their generous help in improving his physical health.

Please see the BEFORE and AFTER photos of Vlad below: