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
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".