On Independence Day, His Beatitude Onuphry leads divine service in Lavra

A liturgy at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on Ukraine's Independence Day. Photo: news.church.ua

On August 24, 2023, the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, performed a divine service at the Church of St. Agapitus of the Caves, reports the UOC Information and Education Department.

The Primate was concelebrated by the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Bishop Laurus of Irpin, Bishop Mark of Borodianka, and the clergy of the monastery.

The participants of the divine service offered prayers for Ukraine, its people, authorities and Armed Forces, asking the Lord for mercy upon our country and granting blessed peace.

After the service, the Primate led a memorial lity for the warriors who gave their lives defending Ukraine and for all those who perished during the war.

His Beatitude addressed those present with a sermon. He noted that the believers of the UOC are citizens of their state and celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day with prayer, as befits Christians.

"We prayed today that the Lord would bless our Ukrainian land, our people, our authorities, our army, which is courageously defending us today, we prayed that the Lord would bless our land with peace’, said the Archpastor. ‘We prayed that the Lord would rest the souls of warriors and leaders who gave their lives for our Motherland, our state, for all those who have already passed into eternity. And we prayed that the Lord would grant them mercy and eternal salvation.

And may the Lord bless those who live, who are on the frontiers and are defending our land, may He keep them in good health and help them to return home happily, to their families, to their relatives and be together with us. May the Lord bestow upon us His precious and great gift – peace and calmness. When there is peace and calmness, a person can do good, can create and beautify the land..."

As reported, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry congratulated the faithful of the UOC and all compatriots on Ukraine's Independence Day.

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