His Beatitude Onuphry leads the festive Liturgy at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

The festive Liturgy at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Photo: UOC

On January 7, 2020, on the day of the Nativity of Christ, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Sts. Anthony and Theodosius Church of the Holy Dormition Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, reports the UOC Information and Education Department.

The Archpastor was concelebrated by the abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, the UOC Chancellor Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Archbishop Panteleimon of Bucha, Bishop Victor of Baryshevka, Bishop Silvester of Belogorodka, guests and clergy of the monastery.

During the service, an augmented prayer was offered for peace in Ukraine and for the unity of the Orthodox Church.

After the postcommunion verse, Vladyka Pavel read the Christmas message from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine to archpastors, pastors, monks and all faithful children of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

At the end of the festive Liturgy in front of the Nativity icon, the rite of glorification took place.

We recall that on Christmas Eve, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church addressed the flock with a word of sermon and congratulation. “Today we’re humbly praying to God that He blesses our Ukrainian land with peace, that the Lord teaches us to live in such a way that our life is filled with love for God as our Creator, love for each other as God's creation, respect for each other, patience with each other. Such a life filled with love, patience and respect is favorable before the Divine eyes and useful for each of us,” the Archpastor noted in his congratulation.

Read also

Dumenko: The enemy has destroyed Ukranian liturgical language for centuries

Epifaniy assured that "imperial invaders" burned Ukrainian liturgical literature.

TRC releases previously detained priest of UOC's Ovruch Eparchy

Believers are thanked for their support and prayers.

Vance: A broken culture tends to turn young people into androgynous idiots

U.S. Vice President stated that modern society seeks to erase differences between genders, shaping people "who think the same, talk the same, and act the same."

In Volyn, UOC priests receive gratitude from AFU for volunteering

The clergy noted that they have always been supported by parishioners and communities willing to share their last resources.

Vance: We don't worry about earthly rewards but how we're doing before God

The Vice President of America shared that he is doing his best to follow God’s will.

Vance: Death is a bad thing, but losing your soul is much more terrible

"The fundamental tenant of the Christian faith is that the Son of God became man, He died and then He raised Himself from the dead," the U.S. Vice President reminded Americans.