On Wednesday, September 28, Hurricane Ian struck Florida. The most significant damage was done on the state’s west (Gulf) coast. Unfortunately, the storm did significant damage to local infrastructure and residential and commercial buildings.

The ROCOR parish of Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port was no exception!

The entire area around the church was flooded. Inside, the water rose over a foot. As a result, the entire floor was damaged, particular the carpets and runners. All of the wooden contents of the church ‒ the iconostasis, altar table, table of oblation, analogia, and stools ‒ were saturated with water. Even the vestments were soaked!

With God’s help and by the efforts of several parishioners, all of the contents of the church were taken outside to dry. The entire carpet was pulled up, as it was beyond recovery.

The parish is asking for prayerful and financial support for the brethren and parishioners of Our Lady of Pochaev Church.

It is worth noting that this parish performs the cycle of divine services daily, according to the monastic rule: Midnight Office, Liturgy in the morning, and Vespers and Matins in the evenings.

Archimandrite Stefan (Khilchuk) and Hieromonk Arkadii (Polishchuk) hope to return to the regular daily cycle of divine services soon. You can help make this a possibility, and be remembered at the divine services as a benefactor!

If anyone has the opportunity to help, the clergy and parishioners will be very grateful.

Many thanks to all who care and are able to help!