Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. I pray that one day we will also have similar services.
That is a great story. Nuns (especially) and male religious do similar things all over the world, and may God bless them for it.
As to the Orthodox, lay and/or religious, performing similar works...what's stopping you?
I'm certainly no historian of religious orders, but it seems to me that with reference to orthonorm's comment, "
Sad the way many Orders have gotten treated over the years.", that much of the reason for that
may have something to do with their theological and political "liberalism" which brings them into conflict with the teachings and authority of the Church. But that's a whole other discussion.
