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

Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Trinity

Trinity Sunday is also known as the Birthday of the Church.

A quarter of a million Muslims celebrate Kurban Bayram on Moscow streets

In Saint Petersburg, more than 100,000 Muslims gathered for prayer.