Metropolitan Onuphry leads Christmas Eve service

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry congratulated the flock on Christmas Eve. Photo: news.church.ua

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry congratulated the flock on Christmas Eve. Photo: news.church.ua

The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, on the Eve of the Nativity of Christ, led the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saints Antony and Theodosius of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, reports the UOC Information and Educational Department.

The Primate of the UOC was concelebrated by Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Archbishop Panteleimon of Bucha, Bishop Laurus of Irpen, Bishop Mark of Borodianka and the clergy of the monastery.

“Today the Holy Church speaks very beautifully about who brought what as a gift to the newborn Saviour: Heaven brought the star as a gift, angels – singing, magi – gifts, shepherds – miracles, the earth – a manger, the desert - a crib, and we, earthborn people, brought as a gift the Most Holy Virgin, through whom God was born. May each of us bear our own gifts – prayer, humility, repentance, which are gifts that strengthen a person on their life path and make us participants in the eternal life that the Saviour returned to humanity through His Incarnation,” wished Metropolitan Onuphry.

During the service, special prayers were offered for an end to the epidemic, for patients with coronavirus and doctors who are struggling with the disease.

Two consecrations were also made: Deacon Alexander Mochulsky, serving at the Transfiguration of the Lord Church in Vyrlitsa, Kyiv, was ordained a priest, and the monk Parfeny (Marinich), a first-year student at the Kyiv Theological Academy, was ordained a deacon.

Read also

Amsterdam appeals to western leaders over stripping Met Onuphry’s citizenship

The attorney expressed hope for cooperation with them on this issue.

Metropolitan Onuphry presides over Liturgy on the Feast of Saint Olga

The Primate of the UOC celebrated a service at the Church of Saint Olga in Kyiv and blessed a charity fair in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Montenegrin media reveal Russian passports of four OCU “hierarchs”

The Montenegrin publication accused the Ukrainian authorities of double standards in stripping Metropolitan Onuphry of his citizenship.

Metropolitan Arseniy held in SIZO despite expiration of preventive measure

The abbot of Sviatohirsk Lavra continues to be held without a court decision – this is the second time during the investigation.

Contrary to the Tomos: Dumenko discussed “support” for Ukrainians in Poland

Epiphanius awarded Bodnar with an OCU order.

Ternopil authorities request DESS to check Pochaiv Lavra for ties to Moscow

Regional council deputies supported an appeal to investigate UOC monasteries for affiliation with structures of the Russian Orthodox Church.