His Beatitude Onuphry leads episcopal consecration of new bishop of UOC

Episcopal consecration of Archimandrite Agathon (Opanasenko). Photo: Facebook of Bishop Victor (Kotsaba)

On August 28, on the feast day of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, during the Divine Liturgy at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, led the episcopal consecration of Archimandrite Agathon (Opanasenko) as the bishop of Koktebel, the vicar of Theodosia Eparchy, reports news.church.ua.

His Beatitude Onuphry was concelebrated by Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Metropolitan Philaret of Lviv and Galicia, Metropolitan Clement of Nozhyn and Priluky, Archbishop Anthony of Putyvl, Archbishop Damian of Fastiv, Bishop Dionisy of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi, Bishop Andrei of Petropavlivka, Bishop Ambrose of Zgurivka, Bishop Spiridon of Vishnevе, Bishop Laurus of Irpen, Bishop Mark of Borodyanka, Bishop Kirill of Byshiv, Bishop Agathon of Koktebel, and the clergy of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Metropolitan Hilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol prayed during the service.

Before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, at which the episcopal consecration took place, a special rite was performed. The nominee bishop made a confession of faith and vowed to preserve the Tradition of the Church. Then the deacon pronounced many years to the Primate, bishops, church people and protege.

After reading the Holy Gospel, His Beatitude addressed the believers with a sermon. The archpastor told his flock the church tradition about the Dormition of the Mother of God.

At the service, fervent prayers were raised for an end to the coronavirus epidemic and for doctors who are fighting for the life and health of patients.

At the end of the service, the Primate addressed Bishop Agathon of Koktebel with the Word and presented him with the bishop's crosier.

After the liturgy, the clergy and laity, led by the Primate, made a religious procession to the Near Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

On August 27, after an all-night Vigil on the eve of the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry led the rite of naming Archimandrite Agathon (Opanasenko) as the bishop of Koktebel, the vicar of the Feodosia Eparchy.

Как ранее сообщал СПЖ, Предстоятель возглавил богослужение с выносом Плащаницы Богородицы в Лавре.

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