His Beatitude Onuphry officiates the rite of great blessing of water
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC
On January 19, 2025, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the solemn Divine Liturgy at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, according to the Information and Education Department of the UOC.
The service was held in the church dedicated to the Venerable Agapitus of the Caves. His Beatitude was joined by Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka, Bishop Lavr of Irpin, Bishop Mark of Borodianka, visiting clergy, and the monastery’s priests.
After the festive reading of the Gospel, His Beatitude Onuphry delivered a sermon, reminding the faithful of the significance of Baptism and the importance of spiritual purification.
During the Liturgy, prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, assistance to those in need, mercy for the Ukrainian people, healing for the sick, the release of captives, and blessings for those who have lost their homes.
Following the prayer behind the ambo, His Beatitude led the rite of the Great Blessing of Water, sprinkled the faithful with holy water, and greeted the congregation on the Feast of Theophany.
As previously reported by the UOJ, His Beatitude has spoken about the power of holy water and the importance of repentance for the faithful.
Read also
Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.
Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling
Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.
Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral
The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.
4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra
The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.
OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna
In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.
His Beatitude officiates at Liturgy in Kyiv on Day of the Holy Spirit
At the church complex dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Kyiv, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the festal Liturgy and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.