Mariupol, May 12, 2025
Bp. Dimitrios (left), Met. Vladimir (right). Photo: eparhiadonetsk.ru
Orthodox Christians living in the Donetsk People’s Republic were blessed with a visit from a hierarch of the Antiochian Patriarchate last week.
His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Safita, vicar of the Metropolis of Akkar, began his trip with a visit to the Holy Transfiguration Church in Mariupol, which was completely destroyed in 2022 and rebuilt in a year, reports the Diocese of Donetsk and Mariupol.
The Antiochian hierarch was greeted by His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Donetsk and students of the parish Sunday School, who presented their guest with a bouquet of flowers. The children also sang Paschal hymns.
Met. Vladimir spoke with Bp. Dimitrios about Orthodoxy in Donbass, about the peculiarities of Church life under war conditions, and about the revival of holy sites destroyed during the war.
The next visit was to the Holy Dormition Church, which was also destroyed and quickly rebuilt. The hierarchs were greeted by rector Fr. Valery Kravchenko with the traditional bread and salt and a bouquet of white roses.
Photo: eparhiadonetsk.ru
After the hierarchs prayed at the church’s holy icons and relics, they were shown a photo exhibition reflecting the parish’s difficult life in early 2022, as well as icons rescued during the clearing of rubble.
Then the delegation headed to St. Nicholas cathedral, where houses relics of St. Ignaty of Mariupol. Prayers at the relics were accompanied by a choir of singers from churches throughout Mariupol. Bp. Dimitrios was particularly moved by the singing of the Paschal Troparion in Arabic.
During the visit, Bp. Dimitrios presented icons of the Great Martyr George to parishioners.
Photo: eparhiadonetsk.ru
After the visit to the cathedral, a press conference was held, followed by a fraternal meal during which commemorative gifts were exchanged. Met. Vladimir presented Bp. Dimitriios with a Pascha egg and the Mariupol Icon of the Mother of God.
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