Kiev, November 8, 2015
On November 8, 2015, the 23th Sunday after Pentecost, the day before the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Kiev Theological Academy, the Divine Liturgy with participation of representatives of Local Orthodox Churches was served at the Dormition Cathedral of the Kiev Caves Lavra, reports Patriarchia.ru.
Metropolitan Nifon of Philippopolis (the Church of Antioch), representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East at the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, headed the service.
Archbishop Kassian of Lower Danube (the Romanian Orthodox Church); Chairman of the External Relations Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (DECR of UOC MP) Archbishop Mitrofan of Luhansk and Alchevsk; Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos and Orinis (the Church of Cyprus); Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Rector of the Kiev Theological Academy and Seminary Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary; Chairman of the Education Committee of the UOC MP’s Holy Synod Bishop Clement of Irpen; Bishop Varsonofy of Borodyanka; ordained monks and guests of the monastery concelebrated with Metropolitan Nifon.
Bishop Clement of Irpen delivered a sermon after the Gospel reading.
Following the Litany of Fervent Supplication His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon offered up a prayer for the peace in the Ukraine.
After the Liturgy the Metropolitan greeted the faithful and expressed his joy for having an opportunity to visit the Ukraine and the Kiev Caves Lavra and participate in the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the Kiev Theological Academy and Seminary. The hierarch has also noted that the Orthodox Church of Antioch historically has a close link with the Kiev Theological Academy where a large number of its (of the Church of Antioch) pastors studied. Alexander III (Tahan: 1869-1958), Patriarch of Antioch from 1931 till 1958, was among the alumni of the Kiev Academy.
Rector of the Kiev Theological Academy and Seminary Metropolitan Anthony thanked Metropolitan Nifon along with all the hierarchs and guests gathered at the celebration. He noted that the faithful members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were sincerely rejoicing as this significant anniversary – the 400th anniversary of the Kiev Theological Academy – was celebrated together with representatives of Local Orthodox Churches. This fact is indicative of the universal Orthodox importance of the event. The rector has also thanked the hierarchs for their prayer and support they are giving to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian people in these difficult times.
Photo by http://kdais.kiev.ua/
