In Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, UOC Primate officiates Easter service

Easter 2024. Photo: UOC

On the night of May 4-5, 2024, on the Bright Resurrection of Christ, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, led the Easter Matins and the solemn Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the church dedicated to the Venerable Agapitus of the Caves at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, reported the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

The Primate was concelebrated by the Chancellor of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Metropolitan Antony of Makariv, Metropolitan Joasaph of Vasylkiv, Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka, Bishop Lavr of Irpin, Bishop Mark of Borodianka, guests in the priesthood, and the clergy of the monastery.

The liturgical chants were performed by the metropolitan choir and the choir of students of the Kyiv Theological Schools.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry congratulated the parishioners of the Church on the Resurrection of Christ and distributed Easter gifts to them.

Traditionally, the clergy read the Holy Gospel in various languages.

During the liturgy, the Holy Fire arrived at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra from the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem. The Primate received the sanctity at the threshold of the temple, after which he lit a lamp from it. The Holy Fire was distributed to the attending faithful.

At the end of the liturgy, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry blessed the Easter Artos. Then the Primate of the UOC sprinkled the faithful and their Easter baskets with holy water.

Read also

Zelensky celebrated iftar with Muslims in a mosque during Ramadan

The President of Ukraine shared an iftar meal with Muslims.

MP: Rada to introduce Day of Old Rus fleet’s campaign against Constantinople

Maksym Buzhanskyi announced the preparation of a new list of state and "religious" holidays.

In Israel, synagogues and mosques closed due to military conflict

Israeli authorities have banned mass gatherings, including services during Ramadan and before Purim.

Romanian Patriarchate calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine

The Romanian Orthodox Church has stated the need for urgent solutions to restore peace and called for prayer for those in the world's military conflict zones.

Kyiv City Council deputy: We aim to ensure no UOC communities in Kyiv region

Tytykalo stated that the deputies set the task of "cleansing the Kyiv region of the UOC".

395 UOC churches damaged by shelling since start of war – report

An updated report on damaged religious sites over four years of war in Ukraine includes data on 395 affected UOC churches, as well as hundreds of destroyed or damaged facilities belonging to other denominations.