Metropolitan Onuphry congratulates AFU soldiers on their holiday
Metropolitan Onuphry anoints a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with holy oil. Photo: news.church.ua
On December 6, 2023, on the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, congratulated Ukrainian servicemen on their professional holiday. The Primate's address was published on the UOC website.
According to His Beatitude Onuphry, every day the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine testify to their sacrificial love for their neighbors, demonstrate courage, and professionalism in defending Ukraine from a cunning enemy.
"Despite the unbearable heat and pouring rain, the severe cold, and the bitter frosts, you bear your service worthy, resolutely defending the territorial integrity of our homeland and protecting all of us – citizens of Ukraine," he said.
The Primate reminded that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church expressed full support for the Ukrainian army on the first day of the full-scale Russian invasion, and today prayers for the AFU are incessantly offered in the temples and monasteries of the Church.
"Today we ask the Lord to help all of you, respected servicemen – Armed Forces of Ukraine, with His almighty right hand, blessing you with good health and giving you stamina and inspiration for further military feats for the good of our homeland," noted His Beatitude.
"On this day, we also offer our prayers for the fallen heroes and heroines who laid down their own lives for the sake of the lives of relatives, loved ones, compatriots, and for our country. The Holy Church prays to the Merciful God for the blessed repose of all the fallen heroes, whose feat will always be an example of love for neighbors and self-sacrifice for the homeland," he added.
As it was previously reported, the Primate of the UOC consecrated another vehicle for evacuating wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Read also
Priest charged with desertion freed after faithful raise bail
Archpriest Vitaliy Agafonov, a cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has been released after bail was posted with funds raised by the faithful.
UOC clergy and laity from several eparchies donate blood for wounded soldiers
Clergy and Orthodox youth of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church donated blood for wounded military personnel.
UOC faithful in Kozelshchansk hold procession with icon of the Mother of God
Pilgrims and clergy of the Poltava Eparchy prayed at the Kozelshchansk Monastery and took part in a procession around the church with the wonderworking icon.
Hearing in Metropolitan Theodosiy’s сase postponed after “victim” no-show
A scheduled hearing at the Kyiv-Sviatoshyn Court in the case against the ruling bishop of the Cherkasy Eparchy was postponed after OCU chaplain Nazariy Zasansky failed to appear.
Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi: The time has come to build the Third Temple
The spiritual leader of Ukraine’s Jewish community commented on Tucker Carlson’s claims about the religious motives behind the war in the Middle East.
US bars removal of children from parents who reject gender transition
U.S. authorities have affirmed the right of families to raise their children in accordance with their religious convictions and biblical understanding of sex.