Ukrainian bishop officiates patronal feast of UOC parish in Spain
The UOC community in Marbella. Photo: vzcz.church.ua
On August 28, 2023, the head of foreign parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka headed the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the patronal feast day of the UOC parish of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the city of Marbella (Spain), reports the Department for External Church Relations of the UOC.
The bishop was served by the rector of the parish, Fr Igor Budnik and priest Sergiy Gorbachev. The participants of the liturgy offered special prayers for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainian soldiers.
Vladyka addressed the faithful with a sermon in which he spoke about the significance of the event of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of Orthodox Christians.
Following the Liturgy, the clergy celebrated a prayer service for the younger parishioners before the beginning of the new school year.
Bishop Veniamin congratulated the community on the patronal feast day and wished the priests God's help in their pastoral ministry and the parishioners – strength and God's grace in their difficult emigrant life. The bishop noted that the faithful decorated the premises of their church with great love and taste.
After the services, the clergy and parishioners shared a festive meal of traditional Ukrainian dishes.
As reported, on 5 August 2023, the parish of the Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God of the UOC in Paris celebrated its first patronal feast day.
Read also
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.
Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”
At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.
Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore
An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.
7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan
According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".
Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar
The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.
SBU shows what to do with those who celebrate Christmas on January 7
The video of the SBU features its employees breaking down the apartment doors with the comment: "Who comes 'caroling' to those who celebrate Christmas on January 7."