UOC bishops concelebrate with Jerusalem hierarch at Holy Sepulchre Church

Archbishop Pimen and a hierarch of the Jerusalem Church. Photo: Rivne Diocese

In early October 2024, a group of clergy and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), led by Archbishop Pimen of Rivne and Ostroh, visited the Holy Land as part of a pilgrimage, according to the diocesan website.

On the final day of their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, October 6, they participated in a service where UOC hierarch Archbishop Pimen and UOC clergy joined in prayer with a Jerusalem hierarch in one of Christianity’s most important shrines – the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as reported by the Rivne Diocese's website.

This joint service symbolized the spiritual unity of believers in Ukraine with the Universal Church and their commitment to preserving and strengthening their faith amidst contemporary challenges, as stated on the diocesan website.

Alongside the hierarchs and clergy, Ukrainian Christian pilgrims also prayed at the service.

Prayers were offered in Greek and Church Slavonic, highlighting the unity of Orthodox Christians from different nations in their shared faith and worship.

"Prayer at the Holy Sepulchre is not only a tribute to tradition but also a profound spiritual practice that helps every believer draw closer to Christ and strengthen their faith," noted Archbishop Pimen.

As reported by UOJ, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem expressed support for the persecuted hierarchs of the UOC.

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