His Beatitude thanks the clergy for their sacrificial service at the front

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine. Photo: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine addressed the participants of the annual meeting of the military clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, expressing support for all clergymen providing spiritual assistance to the Defense Forces of Ukraine, reports the Synodal Information and Education Department of the UOC. In his address, he noted the UOC's contribution to providing social and moral support to military personnel, volunteers, and believers serving in the military.

“For the third year, our service to God and the Ukrainian people takes place under conditions of large-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Throughout these nearly thousand days of war, we continue to urge all people of good will to remain courageous and faithful to their homeland and Church,” said Metropolitan Onuphry.

He also emphasized that the UOC shares all the difficulties and achievements with its people, participating in the defense of Ukraine. His Beatitude reminded that among those killed by enemy shelling are priests and monks, and many churches built and restored by the efforts of UOC believers have been destroyed during the war.

The Primate highlighted the importance of selfless service to all those suffering from the war and stressed the necessity of assistance to veterans, displaced families, and families of the deceased.

“Our sacrificial and selfless service to our neighbors should be the light before people, so they see our good deeds and glorify our Heavenly Father,” he added, calling for joint prayer and doubled efforts for the achievement of peace in Ukraine.

As reported by UOJ, the Primate led the festivities on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Dormition Monastery in Odesa.

Read also