A Voice Found

The Pearl Rehabilitation Center serves children intellectual and psychophysical challenges, including autism spectrum disorders, particularly orphans.

The children had a field trip to an ostrich farm that took them to the beautiful natural world. As part of the experience, they were able to feed the animals.

The trip concluded with a visit to Kryvyi Rih's Cathedral of St. Nicholas. It was the feast day of St. Alexis of Goloseev, the patron saint for autism. On this day special prayers are offered on behalf of those with autism in all the churches and monasteries of the Ukrainian Church. St. Alexis of Goloseev was himself mute until the age of 13. His healing came through the intercession of the Metropolitan of Kiev, Philaret Amphiteatrov.

After venerating the miraculous icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, a 12-year-old boy with autism, who had never spoken, spoke his first word. The amazed teachers testified that it was a real miracle caused by the prayers of the saint.

Before returning to the school, St. Nicholas gave crosses, icons, and sweets to all the children.

SOURCES

"Autistic 12-year-oold speaks for first time after venerating miraculous icon of St. Nichols in Ukraine," Orthodox Christianity, Krivoy Rog, Ukraine, March 28, 2019
"A miracle happened during a charity event for children with autism spectrum disorder in St. Nicholas Church.," Eparthia.com, March 24, 2019
"Autistic 12-Year-Old Speaks for the 1st Time after Venerating a Miraculous Icon of St. Nicholas in the Ukraine," Arms Open Wide, May 10, 2019
"To God be the Glory," Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery, March 29, 2019