Kiev, August 17, 2022
Photo: news.church.ua
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine celebrated the 8th anniversary of his enthronement as primate of the Ukrainian Church last night and this morning.
Last night, he headed the All-Night Vigil on the square in front of the Holy Dormition Cathedral at the Kiev Caves Lavra, together with a number of other hierarchs and clerics of the Ukrainian Church, reports the Information-Education Department of the UOC.
The Ukrainian primate then presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Lavra this morning, during which five bishops were elevated to the rank of archbishop, and three archbishops to the rank of metropolitan during the service.
After the service, Met. Onuphry offered a prayer for peace in Ukraine, courage for the soldiers, freedom for captives, health for the sick, and shelter for those who have lost their homes.
Then His Eminence Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa read a congratulatory address to His Beatitude on behalf of the Holy Synod, bishops, clergy, monastics, and all the faithful of the UOC.
The Donetsk Diocese has also published the congratulations from His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol:
We will forever retain wonderful and warm memories of the days of the Sacred Synod, which set an example of true unity and love in the spirit of the Gospel. The historical significance of the Synod is indisputable, which was expressed in the election of you, Your Beatitude, as Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine. You have accepted the cross of the primatial ministry and God’s providence has given everyone in your person a blessed primate and father, an archpastor who zealously cares for his flock. Today we give glory to God, Who has appointed you to lead the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in such a difficult and fateful time.
The clergy and faithful of the long-suffering Donbass know with what sincere compassion and emotion you carry our pain in your heart. At every Divine service, in your daily prayer, you ask God to grant peace and prosperity to the Donetsk land. We believe that the Lord will hear and fulfill your petitions, pacify the warring, and comfort the weeping.
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