Primate and hierarchs of UOC take part in Independence Day celebration

The delegation of the UOC, headed by the Primate, at the celebration of the Independence Day of Ukraine. Photo: UOC Information and Education Department

On August 24, 2020, the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, headed by the Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, took part in the celebrations of the 29th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, reports the UOC the Information and Education Department.

The celebrations, which took place on the territory of the "St. Sophia of Kyiv" National Conservation Area and in Sophia and Mikhailivska squares in Kiev, were led by the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky.

At the festive event, the Primate of the UOC was accompanied by Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, vicars of the Kyiv Eparchy Bishop Mark of Borodianka and Bishop Dionysius of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi, Deputy Head of the Department for External Сhurch Relations Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich.

“Today we once again thank God for the gift of independence, for the years we have lived in an independent state, which were full of both achievements and losses and mistakes,” His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry said in his congratulations, addressing the President and representatives of Ukrainian religious organizations. “But, despite everything, we continue to live, work and develop our country. Ukraine is like a beautiful bouquet of different flowers. And this is our wealth. I would like to wish today that we realize the true beauty of our country, all this diversity, cherish and preserve this beauty. We pray for peace to reign in our country, not only peace in the East of Ukraine but above all peace in our hearts.”

Also, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry took part in the celebrations in Sophia Square, where a minute of silence was observed in memory of those who died for the freedom and independence of Ukraine.

As the UOJ reported, with the blessing of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on the Independence Day of Ukraine, prayers for peace and the Ukrainian people are held in all churches and monasteries of the UOC.

Read also