Clear Mind and Free Breath: Why World Brain Day Concerns Us All?
Every year on July 22, the international community celebrates World Brain Day. This holiday was established by the World Federation of Neurology to draw society's attention to the health of our main "computer." The brain is the repository of our memories, our experience, our hopes, and our personality. But what happens to it when a person is left alone with old age, illness, and war?
Historical Background World Brain Day was established in 2014. Every year, the federation chooses a new theme, but the main message remains unchanged: brain health is a basic need and right of every human being. For Ukraine today, this theme takes on a special, painful resonance. Constant stress, air raid sirens, forced evacuation, and the loss of loved ones cause irreparable harm to the cognitive health of the nation, especially to its most vulnerable representatives — the elderly.
Oxygen is the Main Food for the Brain It is scientifically proven that the brain consumes about 20% of all the oxygen that enters our body. Imagine a lonely grandfather or grandmother suffering from severe respiratory diseases or heart failure. Their lungs cannot work at full capacity. Every breath becomes a trial, and a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) causes the brain to fade: clarity of thought is lost, memory deteriorates, and feelings of anxiety and panic intensify. Illness and loneliness lock a person in a dark room of their own fears.
That is why CF "Nadiya.ua" is holding a Lung Care Collection to purchase oxygen concentrators and medicines. By providing an elderly person with oxygen, we don't just help them breathe — we save their brain, their memories, their ability to smile and rejoice in a new day.
Name Days on July 22: Male Strength and Wisdom Today, men with strong names that symbolize protection and reliability celebrate their Name Day:
Michael (Hebrew — "who is like God"). From childhood, Michaels stand out for their heightened sense of justice. In adulthood, they are courageous, strong-willed, sincere people ready to help the weak.
Alexey (Ancient Greek — "defender," "helper"). Alexeys are people of calm strength. They are reliable friends, wise advisors, and hardworking individuals you can always rely on in a crisis.
Care That Must Be Systemic Helping the elderly cannot be a one-time action. So that we can plan the purchase of medicines, oxygen machines, and support the daily operation of shelters, we rely on the Sustainable Reserve Fund. Your charitable contributions form an untouchable capital, the interest from which will work for the benefit of lonely seniors for years to come.
Make your contribution to a clear and peaceful future for those who need it most. Support the Lung Care Collection or the Sustainable Reserve Fund on the CF "Nadiya.ua" website. Together, we can give them the gift of breathing freely!
December 6 — The Day of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker: History, Traditions, and the Miracle of Unfailing Kindness
December 6, according to the New Julian Calendar (adhered to by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine), marks one of the brightest and most beloved holidays of the year — the Commemoration Day of Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker. This day, long considered the beginning of the winter holiday cycle, is filled with anticipation of miracles, gifts, and unwavering faith in the triumph of good.
The Story of the Saint: Life, Not Legend
Saint Nicholas was born in the 3rd century in the city of Patara (Asia Minor) to a wealthy and devout family. His entire life was dedicated to serving God and the people, making him the embodiment of mercy and secret charity.
Unlike many saints who were glorified through their suffering, Nicholas became famous for his love and assistance.
The Three Bags of Gold
The most famous deed of the saint, which began the tradition of giving, was the rescue of three sisters from shame and poverty. Their father, an impoverished merchant, planned to sell his daughters into servitude because he had no money for a dowry.
Nicholas, not wishing to humiliate the family with open charity, secretly tossed bags of gold through the window of their house on three separate nights. These funds allowed the girls to marry and saved the family from a tragic fate. This act became the basis for the image of the saint as a secret gift-giver and patron of children and the needy.
The Wonderworker and Patron
After the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed his entire inheritance and became a priest, and later, the Archbishop of Myra. He became famous as:
Rescuer at Sea: He is considered the patron saint of sailors, as he repeatedly saved the drowning and helped travellers during his lifetime.
Defender of the Unjustly Condemned: His intercession was always on the side of the wronged and those wrongly sentenced.
Pillar of Orthodoxy: Nicholas was a participant in the First Ecumenical Council in 325 AD, where he courageously defended the purity of the Christian faith.
🎁 Holiday Traditions in Ukraine: From Miracle to Charity
In Ukraine, the Feast of Saint Nicholas has always held special significance, turning into a day dedicated to children, joy, and philanthropy.
Gifts Under the Pillow (or in a Boot): The main tradition. Children believe that during the night, Saint Nicholas travels the world and brings presents to well-behaved children, leaving them under the pillow or in a specially prepared boot or stocking. Naughty children might find a rizochka (rod — a symbolic warning).
Saint Nicholas Day is a Celebration of Kindness: Traditionally, it is customary to help orphans, the sick, and the needy on this day. Adults often become "Nicholas' helpers," organizing charitable events and collections.
Beginning of Carols: In some regions, Saint Nicholas Day marks the start of winter festivities and the first attempts at caroling.
Nativity Fast: It is important to remember that the Nativity Fast is still observed on December 6. Although Saint Nicholas Day is a major holiday and the fasting rules are relaxed (fish is allowed), general restrictions remain.
New Date, Unchanging Miracle
With the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's transition to the New Julian Calendar, the date of celebration moved from December 19th to December 6th. This change not only unified the Ukrainian church calendar with most Orthodox churches worldwide but also helped clearly distinguish between secular New Year figures (Ded Moroz, Santa Claus) and the true image of the Ukrainian Saint Nicholas — a historical figure and a model of mercy.
December 6 is an opportunity not only to receive a gift but also to become part of Nicholas's miracle yourself.
Верховна Рада ухвалила закон про перепоховання загиблих військових: що зміниться
Верховна Рада в цілому ухвалила законопроєкт №12413, що врегульовує порядок безоплатного перепоховання загиблих та померлих людей, які захищали незалежність, суверенітет і територіальну цілісність України.
"За" проголосували 285 парламентарів, повідомив народний депутат, член фракції "Голос" Ярослав Железняк.
Законопроєкт визначає, що правила безоплатного поховання також стосуватимуться перепоховання.
Згідно з пояснювальною запискою, раніше на рівні законів урегульовували лише питання безоплатного поховання загиблих військових, якщо їх, зокрема, нагороджували:
чотирма і більше медалями "За відвагу";
орденом "Золота зірка" при наявності звання Героя України;
орденом Богдана Хмельницького трьох ступенів;
відзнакою президента "Хрест бойових заслуг".
Крім того, держава забезпечує поховання учасників бойових дій, воїнів з інвалідністю внаслідок війни та постраждалих активістів Революції Гідності.
Також Збройні сили, СБУ, МВС, БЕБ мають компенсувати витрати на поховання своїх колишніх працівників, які захищали незалежність, суверенітет та територіальну цілісність і померли під час проходження служби.
Автори документа пояснюють його мету потребою гідно вшанувати захисників і захисниць та потребою членів їхніх сімей, які масово звертаються до місцевих влад із проханням перепоховати за останнім місцем проживання рідних, яких похоронили на деокупованих територіях.
Нагадаємо, наприкінці серпня перші поховання невідомих військових провели на новоствореному Національному військовому меморіальному кладовищі (НВМК).
За перший місяць роботі на цвинтарі похоронили 108 полеглих захисників, серед яких імена 97 не встановлені.
1204 людей похилого віку беруть участь у Програмі взаємодопомоги “Надія”. Більшість із них — самотні. Ми хочемо, щоб вони ніколи не залишалися без підтримки.
Фонд “Надія.юа” створює грошовий резерв, який працюватиме на майбутнє: відсотки з депозитів дозволять щороку допомагати 40–50 учасникам — оплатити операцію, ліки, чи достойно провести в останню путь.
Наша мета — зібрати 2 000 000 грн.
Кожна пожертва — це частинка надії й гідності для тих, хто цього найбільше потребує.
EN 1204 elderly people take part in the Mutual Aid Program “Nadiya”. Most of them are alone. We want to ensure they are never left without support.
The “Nadiya.ua” Foundation is creating a financial reserve for the future: interest from deposits will help 40–50 participants every year — to cover surgery costs or provide dignified funeral assistance.
Our goal is to raise 2,000,000 UAH. Every donation is a piece of hope and dignity for those who need it most.
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