South Bound Brook, New Jersey, January 21, 2025
Photo: uocofusa.org
Metropolitan Anthony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora (Patriarchate of Constantinople), 77, has been hospitalized again.
He was previously hospitalized last January and again in July in connection with an ongoing heart issue.
The UOC-USA’s Archbishop Daniel of Pamphylion issued a statement about Met. Anthony’s current hospitalization on Sunday:
It is with a pastoral heart that I write to you today to share the news that His Eminence, Metropolitan Antony, our beloved spiritual father and the Primate of our Holy Church, has been hospitalized due to heart-related health concerns. While his condition is stable, he remains under the care of dedicated medical professionals who are working diligently for his recovery.
As we face this moment together, I ask that each of us turns to the power of prayer, calling upon the Lord, our Divine Physician, for healing and restoration. Let us remember the words of the Apostle James: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). United in faith, we are called to lift Metropolitan Antony in fervent prayer, asking God to strengthen his heart, body, and spirit.
Abp. Daniel also writes about how in challenging times, we must trust in God’s endless love and unite in prayer for Met. Antony, while encouraging the faithful to support one another and embody the same compassionate spirit that the UOC-USA primate has demonstrated throughout his ministry.
And the Archbishop calls on the UOC-USA flock to join in a prayer:
O Heavenly Physician, Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech You to look upon Your servant, Metropolitan Antony, with Your merciful eyes. Grant him strength in body and peace in spirit, that he may continue to shepherd Your flock with wisdom and love. Guide the hands of those entrusted with his care, and may Your healing grace restore him to health. We entrust him to Your loving embrace, O Lord, for You are the source of life, hope, and peace. Amen.
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