The Rev. Alexander Tkachenko of St. Petersburg, Russia, pictured with His Grace, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada, Protopresbyter Robert S. Kondratick, chancellor, members of the OCA Chancery staff, and local clergy, visited the Chancery here on Tuesday, February 14, 2006.
Fr. Alexander is the director of Russia’s first hospice for children, which opened three years ago and now serves some 100 children.
In sharing his work with staff members, Fr. Alexander stated that hospice care did not exist in Russian until quite recently. He was fortunate that local civil authorities provided a building and land for the hospice.
While in the New York area, Fr. Alexandaer also met with Church World Service, the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church, and other religious and social agencies in an effort to solicit support for the hospice. On Sunday, February 12, he concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Hegumen Christopher [Calin] at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral, New York, NY. The cathedral parish presented him with a donation for his ongoing work.
Further information on the hospice in Russian and English is available at www.childrenhospice.ru.
Photos by John Mindala
