UCA News
Contribute

Greek Catholic cathedral in Ukraine opens for vaccinations

Ukraine reported a record 793 Covid-19 deaths on Sunday
Greek Catholic cathedral in Ukraine opens for vaccinations

People wait before receiving a Covid vaccine at a temporary vaccination center inside the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Kiev on Nov. 8. (Photo: AFP)

Published: November 09, 2021 05:11 AM GMT
Updated: November 09, 2021 05:12 AM GMT

Ukraine's Greek Catholic Church has opened a coronavirus vaccination center in one of its Kiev cathedrals -- the first religious institution to do so in a country where infections have spiked.

Ukraine recently reported record numbers of daily Covid deaths and cases, while only 25 percent of its population is fully vaccinated.

Religious institutions in the ex-Soviet country had been cautious to urge people to get vaccinated, let alone allow their premises to be used as vaccination points.

But clerics of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the third-largest in the country, on Sunday opened the doors of their main Kiev cathedral to those wanting a jab.

"The church sees no reason to refuse the vaccine," Father Taras Zheblinsky, head of the Greek Catholic Church's media department, told AFP.

"Taking the vaccine is a way to save your life and health," he said, standing inside the large Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in eastern Kiev.

Ukraine reported 793 new coronavirus deaths on Saturday -- a record for the country, which has an under-resourced health care system.

New daily cases hit a pandemic record of 27,377 last week and were at more than 13,000 on Monday.

"We are getting vaccinated so that if we get sick, then it will be a mild illness," Nazar Kozak, one of dozens waiting for a jab told AFP.

"When trouble comes to a country, any community, including a religious one, should help people," said the 32-year-old lawyer.

Ukrainian authorities initially struggled to source vaccine doses and have since fought to convince vaccine-sceptic Ukrainians to get inoculated.

But new restrictions requiring vaccinations have seen people across the country flock to vaccine centres, with inoculations now running at about 250,000 people a day.

Since the start of the pandemic, Ukraine has recorded more than 3 million coronavirus cases and 72,000 deaths.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia