Bancheny, Chernivtsi Province, Ukraine, January 16, 2024
Photo: pravlife.org
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the primate of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, paid his annual Christmas visit to the Chernivtsi Province over the weekend.
On Saturday night, he, together with several other hierarchs and a host of clergy, celebrated the All-Night Vigil in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in the city of Chernivtsi, and on Sunday, he celebrated the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and St. Basil the Great at the Holy Ascension Monastery in Bancheny.
The monastery is under the spiritual direction of its abbot, His Eminence Metropolitan Longin, who is the father of hundreds of adopted orphans who eagerly await His Beatitude’s annual visit. Met. Longin has been a target for Ukrainian authorities for several months now, who accuse him of “inciting religious enmity” for speaking against the violent schismatics who enjoy the patronage of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Photo: pravlife.org
The Metropolitan’s health has severely suffered during the long ordeal, throughout the many appearances in court, the interrogations and searches. He suffered a stroke in July, and he spent much of December in the hospital, undergoing heart surgery towards the end of the month. The monastery itself has also been targeted. Armed forces surrounded the holy habitation in November, frightening the orphans who live there.
Against this background, the monastics, orphans, and parishioners of Bancheny Monastery found much comfort and consolation in the visit of Met. Onuphry, who celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the main monastery cathedral, joined by nine other hierarchs and a host of local and visiting clergy, reports the Information-Education Department of the UOC.
During the Liturgy, prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and for all those who suffer.
“I wish you all happiness, health and salvation,” His Beatitude said. “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. May the Lord bless our land with peace.”
Watch a video of the service:
After the service, His Beatitude met with the orphans and distributed Christmas gifts.
Bancheny Monastery
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