Akhtyrka, the Ukraine, September 24, 2014
The Abbot of the Holy Trinity Akhtyrka Monastery Archimandrite Simeon (Gagatik) is well known in to Russians for his translation from Greek of the book by Elder Ephraim (Moraitis) of Philotheou, My Life with Elder Joseph (the Hesychast).
Today the Akhtyrka Monastery is in urgent need of help—in creating an alternative energy source.
We publish the letter of Fr. Simeon below:
“Dear friends!
Undoubtedly, you are well aware of the ongoing events in the Ukraine. This horror will affect all of us this coming winter. And our monastery now must get ready to survive this winter.
Our Holy Trinity Akhtyrka Monastery (see information about it on our website ahtyr.org) is situated on a mountain covered with forest. In arranging life support systems we could not avoid dependence on electricity. It provides the work of heating systems (a wood-burning stove, from which hot water is pumped over by pumps) and a water supply system (pumps in wells).
In our districts, electricity is already beginning to be disconnected; some large thermal power stations (particularly, the Zmiyiv station) have been stopped for the lack of fuel.
What is going to happen with electricity in the winter, nobody knows. We have long been thinking what we should do. We doubt if we can manage to last only on generators, as they can break down after long work, as experience has shown.
We have decided in favor of a solar power station, borrowing it (the idea) from Greek monasteries. The specialists have made essential calculations. We need a station minimum of 10 kW, and even better, 15 kW (their costs are 30,000 euros and 40,000 euros respectively). We must urgently obtain and install it while we still have time before the cold weather. The suddenness and urgency of this need made us apply for help to those who have an opportunity and disposition to give aid.
You can contact us by E-mail: igumen@ahtyr.org
May the Lord keep and bless all of you!
The Monastery Abbot
Archimandrite Simeon with the brethren”.
