Dutch Foreign Minister visits Transfiguration Cathedral of UOC in Odesa
The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UOC cathedral in Odesa, damaged by Russian shelling. Photo: screenshot of the video from the Odesa Eparchy's Facebook page
On July 8, 2024, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Kaspar Veldkamp, and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine, Johannes de Mol, visited the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Odesa. This was reported by the Odesa Eparchy.
The diplomats were accompanied by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin.
Archpriest Myroslav Vdovych, an assistant to the rector of the cathedral, spoke about the history and holy relics of the ancient church and showed the progress of the restoration work after the tragedy of July 23, 2023, when a rocket hit the church during Russian shelling of the city.
The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that he had seen footage of the destroyed shrine online and wanted to visit the site of the tragedy in person. Kaspar Veldkamp wished the Orthodox residents of Odesa a swift restoration of the city's main shrine and assured support for all Ukrainians.
A priest of the UOC conveyed gratitude from the ruling hierarch, Metropolitan Agafangel, for the visit and gave his blessing for Veldkamp's efforts in his new position.
A special fund was created for the restoration of the destroyed cathedral. The press service of the Odesa Eparchy published the account details and called on all concerned individuals to join in the fundraising efforts.
As previously reported by UOJ, the ambassadors of Austria and Switzerland visited the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Odesa.
Read also
Primatial Liturgy of American and Macedonian Churches to be held in USA
The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) is set to formally recognize the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church during a joint Divine Liturgy on September 2, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
OCU activists accuse UOC of being pro-Russian due to the word "Orthodox"
The brotherhood created with the blessing of "hierarch" Viktor Bed' placed a photo of a person in a pullover with the phrase "We are Orthodox".
His Beatitude: When you fall, always ask God to lend you a helpful hand
In his sermon at the Liturgy, the Primate of the UOC urged not to despair during spiritual falls but to turn to God.
Pope Leo to visit Phanar for anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council
Patriarch Bartholomew stated that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the Mother Church for all peoples.
Jerusalem delegation meets abbot of Sinai over the monastery issue
A Jerusalem delegation in Athens is seeking to address the St. Catherine’s Monastery conflict following an attempt by monks to remove the abbot.
UOC Primate officiates patronal feast in Feofaniya
Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy on the feast day of the Great Martyr Panteleimon at the monastery in Feofaniya.