Svyatogorsk, Ukraine, December 20, 2022
Photo: Svyatogorsk Lavra On Sunday, December 18, His Grace Bishop Innokenty (Shestopal), a retired hierarch of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church reposed in the Lord at the Holy Dormition-Svyatogorsk Lavra, reports the Information-Education Department of the UOC.
Bp. Innokenty was 77 years old.
Two days before his repose, he attended the All-Night Vigil, and on the eve of his departure to the Lord, he communed of the Holy Mysteries at the Liturgy for the feast of St. Barbara.
His funeral was held this morning at the Svyatogorsk Lavra.
In his condolences, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine noted that the time of Bp. Innokenty’s hierarchical ministry
is marked by the revival of diocesan and monastic life, the restoration and construction of churches, the development of fruitful cooperation between spiritual and secular leadership, the dialogue between the Church and society, social service, education, and Christian enlightenment.
The Ukrainian primate also emphasized that, “the late Vladyka was in poor health and suffered from many ailments. But he endured everything with Christian humility and reliance on the will of God.”
May Bp. Innokenty’s memory be eternal!
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Vladyka Innokenty was born on January 8, 1945, in Gorlovka, Donetsk Province. After his time in the Soviet army, he studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary and Academy, ultimately receiving the degree of Candidate of Theology. He also studied at the Academy’s postgraduate school.
From 1975 to October 1977, he combined his studies with work at the Department of External Church Relations.
On October 21, 1977, he was appointed a teacher at the Odessa Theological Seminary. A month later, he was ordained to the diaconate, and to the priesthood two weeks later, on December 4.
On March 25, 1979, he too, monastic vows; on March 23, 1980, he was elevated to the rank of Igumen; and in 1987—to the rank of archimandrite.
In 1992, he was appointed vice-rector of the Odessa Seminary.
On October 5, 1994, he was consecrated Bishop of Tulchin and Bratslav. On March 30, 1999, he became the Bishop of Konotop and Glukhov. He served as an active hierarch until he was granted retirement by his own request on May 8, 2008.
He lived in retirement at the Holy Dormition-Svyatogorsk Lavra, where he quietly reposed in the Lord on Sunday morning.
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