Khust Eparchy marks 25th anniversary

The Khust Eparchy celebrates 25th anniversary of its founding. Photo: orthodoxkhust.org.ua

On November 25 and 26, 2019, the city of Khust is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Khust Eparchy of the UOC, reports the eparchy's press service.

On November 25, on the eve of the feast, a festal All-Night Vigil was served at the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the city of Khust, led by Metropolitan Mark of Khust and Vinogradov.

His Eminence was concelebrated by Metropolitan Augustine of Bila Tserkva, Metropolitan Theodore of Mukachevo, Metropolitan John of Kherson and Tavria, Archbishop Ephraim of Berdyansk, Bishop Simeon of Ugolsk, Bishop Ambrose of Zgurovka, and the clergy of the diocese and guests in holy orders.

After the evening service, Vladyka Augustine consecrated a wayside cross near the diocesan church, and Vladyka Metropolitan John of Kherson performed the consecration of the wall paintings of the church in honor of the Savior Not Made by Hands, the construction of which began during the tenure of His Eminence Vladyka John at the Khust See (from July 26, 2000, to November 22, 2006).

The construction of the diocesan church on the grounds of the residence of the ruling bishops of the Khust Diocese began with the blessing of Bishop John of Khust and Vinogradov on March 5, 2004. On June 6, 2004, Vladyka John performed the lesser consecration of the lower church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" and served the first Divine Liturgy. From that day, services began to be held regularly in the church. On June 18, 2006, Archbishop John performed the rite of founding of the upper part of the church and served the Divine Liturgy on the foundation of the church under construction. On August 29, 2008, Archbishop Mark of Khust and Vinogradov consecrated the upper church in honor of the Savior Not Made by Hands.

Recall that the Khust Diocese was established by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of July 29, 1994, and was separated from the Mukachevo Diocese. Its territory covers cities and villages located in the eastern part of Transcarpathia – in the Vinogradov, Mizhhiria, Rakhiv, Tiachiv and Khust districts of the Transcarpathian region. The cathedral city of the diocese is Khust, and the cathedrals are the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius (Khust) and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (Vinogradov).

As the UOJ reported, earlier the Union of Sisters of Mercy of the Sumy Eparchy celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding.

Read also