Ukraine, August 24, 2020
pravlife.org
Ukraine marks the 29th anniversary of its independence today, August 24. To mark the occasion, molebens for Ukraine, for peace in the nation, and for the Ukrainian people were served in all churches and monasteries of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The relevant circular from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine was issued to all diocesan hierarchs on August 21, reports the Information-Education Department of the UOC.
“We call on all the faithful children of our Church to join in these prayers. This is our filial duty, because, as St. Gregory the Theologian said, ‘It is a holy thing to respect your mother; everyone has their own mother, while the common mother is the Fatherland,’” said His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, the Chancellor of the UOC.
If the Ukrainian people want to make an offering to strengthen their nation, they should turn their energy towards prayer and repentance, the Metropolitan emphasized.
Met. Onuphry, Met. Anthony, and a number of other UOC hierarchs and clerics also participated in Independence Day state events.
“Today we once again thank God for the gift of independence, for the years spent in an independent state, which have been full of both achievements and losses and mistakes,” His Beatitude Metropolitan said in his address.
“But despite everything, we continue to live, work and develop our country. Ukraine is like a beautiful bouquet that consists of different flowers,” he continued. “And this is our wealth. I would like to wish today that we are aware of the true beauty of our country, are aware of this diversity, cherish and preserve this beauty. We pray that peace will reign in our country, and not only peace in the East of Ukraine, but above all, peace in our hearts.”
Met. Onuphry also took part in a minute of silence to honor the memory of those who died for the freedom and independence of Ukraine.
