UOC priests from all over Ireland gather for joint bishops’ liturgy

The joint Divine Liturgy celebrated by the hierarchy in the parish of the UOC in Navan. Photo: vzcz.church.ua

On 23 July 2023, the day of the memory of St. Anthony of the Caves, the priests who lead the parishes of the UOC in different parts of Ireland, took part in the joint Divine Liturgy in the city of Navan. The service at St Anne’s Chapel was led by Bishop Benjamin of Boyarka, the head of the UOC parishes abroad, reports the UOC Department for External Church Relations.

During the liturgy, the clergy offered special prayers for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainian soldiers.

Speaking to those present, the bishop emphasised the importance of such joint prayer, "because participation in the Divine Liturgy and communication that the clergy and parishioners receive during such meetings contribute to the unity of the faithful and the strengthening of Orthodoxy in the Irish land".

Vladyka expressed the hope that the service will be the beginning of a tradition for priests from different parts of Ireland to gather together and that in the future, joint services will be held in all Irish parishes of the UOC.

After the Liturgy and spiritual conversation over tea, Bishop Benjamin and the faithful visited the spring of St. Brigid, who lived in the neighbouring Сounty Louth in the V century. The Archpastor celebrated a prayer service there, joined not only by Ukrainians but also by local Irish.

As earlier reported, the press service of the UOC Department for External Church Relations published an article summarising the results of the first year of the UOC's presence in Ireland.

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