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.
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