UOC Primate blesses a seminarian for «Arnold-Classic» competition in the USA (VIDEO)

On 21 February Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine His Beatitude Onuphry blessed weight-lifter Nikolay Tkachuk to participate in competitions held in America. According to the UOJ correspondent, Nikolay is a World Champion in weight-lifting among juniors. He is also a fourth-year student of Kiev Theological School .

«I have been attached to Orthodox faith since 2008, said Nikolay Tkachuk to the UOJ correspondent. – That's why blessing is very important to me: only this gives me strength.»

Nikolay is an acolyte of Kiev-based temple in the honour of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God.

The seminarian sportsman was invited to the competition to the USA, called «Arnold-Classic», by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The trip will take place with support of the UOC Primate Foundation.


Read also

Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say

Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.

Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem

The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.

UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"

UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.

Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health

Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".

ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY

Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.

Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed

An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".