South Bound Brook, New Jersey, August 15, 2025
Photo: uocofusa.org
Metropolitan Antony, the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and of the Diaspora, has been hospitalized for heart surgery, marking his fourth cardiac hospitalization since January 2024.
“His Eminence has been hospitalized and is undergoing a delicate heart surgery,” Archbishop Daniel wrote to clergy and parishioners on August 13. “This is a time when we, his spiritual children, are called to unite in fervent and unceasing prayer.”
The Metropolitan’s recent medical history includes hospitalizations in January 2024, July 2024, and January 2025, all related to heart problems. The frequency of these medical interventions has raised concerns among the Orthodox faithful about their spiritual leader’s health.
Abp. Daniel praised the Metropolitan’s decades of service, noting he has spent “his entire archpastoral life in tireless service to Christ and His Holy Church.” He urged the clergy and faithful to pray for Met. Anthony, especially during the Divine Liturgy.
The Archbishop included a special prayer for the Metropolitan’s recovery:
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Divine Healer and the Giver of Life, we beseech You: look down from heaven with Your merciful eye upon Your faithful servant, Metropolitan Antony. Grant him strength in body, peace in mind, and comfort in soul. Guide the hands of the physicians and all who minister to him, that they may be instruments of Your healing grace. Renew his spirit, that he may rise from his bed of illness to continue proclaiming Your Gospel and shepherding Your people. Through the prayers of the Most-Holy Theotokos, the Physician of the sick, and of all the saints—especially the holy hierarchs and wonderworkers—send down upon him the dew of Your heavenly mercy and preserve him for many blessed years, to the glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.
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