Metropolitan of Kyiv: Orthodox Ukrainians will be united in one local Orthodox Church
On 5 July 2024, on the tenth anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan), the Primate of the Autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Epifaniy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Stavropegial Transfiguration Cathedral in Teremky, Kyiv.
The service was concelebrated by the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine, His Grace Bishop Michael of Comana, Metropolitan Simeon of Vinnytsia and Bar, Metropolitan Mykhailo of Lutsk and Volyn, Metropolitan Oleksandr of Pereiaslav and Vyshneve, Archbishop Lavrentiy of Luhansk and Starobilsk, Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod, Bishop Nikodim of Kherson and Tavria, clergy of the Cathedral and invited clergy.
The liturgy was attended by Ihor Lysov, chairman of the Cathedral’s Parish Council, representatives of local authorities, and believers.
After reading the Gospel, the Metropolitan offered a special prayer to the Lord during a time of peril for Ukraine.
During the service, prayers were offered for the soldiers defending Ukraine, the government and people, the repose of Metropolitan Volodymyr, and for the souls of all fallen defenders and civilians who lost their lives during the war.
Following the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Epifaniy addressed the faithful with a sermon.
“Our sacred duty is to pray. Today, we offer our prayers for the blessed Metropolitan Volodymyr, who envisioned what we have now: a recognised local Orthodox Church of Ukraine. We have long worked toward this goal, uniting from various sources into a single entity. We will continue to unite around our Kyivan throne. And the time will come when all of us, Orthodox Ukrainians, will be united in our one local Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” the Primate said.
Bishop Simeon and Bishop Oleksandr also shared their memories of Metropolitan Volodymyr.
Following this, the Metropolitan presented high church awards to Ukrainian soldiers, benefactors of the Transfiguration Cathedral, and athletes.
In turn, the chairman of the Cathedral’s Parish Council, Ihor Lisov, thanked Metropolitan Epifaniy on behalf of the community and presented him and the priests of the church with commemorative gifts.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine celebrated a service for the repose of the soul of Bishop Volodymyr (Sabodan) at the monument erected in his honour near the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Additionally, Metropolitan Epifaniy blessed the athletes and coaches of the Ukrainian synchronized diving team, who will soon compete in the Paris Olympics.
Source: pomisna
