On March 28, the first Orthodox divine service for refugees from Ukraine took place in the city of Alta, at the Elvebakken kirke.
This event became especially significant for people who found themselves far from home. For many, participating in the divine service was not simply an opportunity to pray, but a true source of comfort, inner peace, and hope. Familiar prayers, their native spiritual tradition, and shared prayer helped them feel that even in a foreign country, one is not left alone.
This event holds special value because the divine service took place thanks to the openness and goodwill of the local Lutheran community. The church council of Alta readily responded to the need of the Orthodox faithful and provided the church for the service. This step became a living testimony of Christian love, mutual respect, and true unity in Christ.
For the Ukrainian refugees, this service was a moment of stillness amidst anxieties, an opportunity to find spiritual grounding, and to feel supported—both by their own community and by Christian brothers and sisters of another tradition.
Such gatherings become an important sign of hope and a reminder that the Church is, above all, a space of love where a person can find comfort regardless of the circumstances.
