The Russian Orthodox Church has collected 6.5 million rubles ($217,000) for those affected by wildfires, the Moscow Patriarchate said on its website Monday.

Wildfires caused by an extreme heat wave are raging in 22 Russian regions. A total of 52 people died in the fires and 472 have received medical assistance. Over 1,900 houses have burned down, leaving 3,500 Russians without a roof over their heads.

The Church's Synodal department for charity and social services also invited volunteers to collect and distribute aid to those in need.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia blessed efforts to help those affected by fires. Special commissions have been set up within the Church to distribute donations.

"In these testing times for our nation, we are called upon to unite and render all possible moral and spiritual support to those affected," a senior Church member, Metropolitan Yuvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna, said.

Yuvenaly himself donated 300,000 rubles ($10,000) from his own pocket.

MOSCOW, August 9 (RIA Novosti)