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
In Syria, Islamic militants behead statues of Christ and Virgin Mary
Vandals beheaded statues of the Lord and the Mother of God at the entrance to the "Cave of the Virgin Mary" in the village of Al-Basiya near the coastal city of Banias in Syria.
Icon with particle of Gabriel Urgebadze's relics to be brought to Uzhhorod from Georgia
The holy icon, painted in Georgia, will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC.
His Beatitude celebrates Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts in Feofania
The Primate of the UOC led the Great Lenten service and blessed the koliva in the capital's monastery.
A third of young Christians in USA trust "spiritual advice" from AI, study
A Barna Group study showed: one-third of American Christians believe that AI provides advice that is no less reliable than that of a pastor.
UOC bishop celebrates Lenten service in persecuted parish of Khmelnytskyi
Metropolitan Viktor of Khmelnytskyi prayerfully supported the believers of the Dormition community, who lost their church as a result of seizure by OCU followers.
Ministry of Culture seeks UNESCO assistance to preserve a church in Lavra
Ukraine’s authorities have appealed to UNESCO to preserve the Church of All Saints above the Economic Gate.