In the Czech Republic, UOC hierarchs concelebrate with Archbishop of Prague

10th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Archbishop Michael of Prague and the Czech Lands. Photo: Khmelnytsky Eparchy

On March 15, 2025, hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) concelebrated a festive Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Michael of Prague and the Czech Lands at the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Prague. This was reported by the press service of the Khmelnytsky Eparchy.

With the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine and at the invitation of Archbishop Michael of Prague and the Czech Lands, Metropolitan Victor of Khmelnytsky and Starokostiantyniv, Archbishop Damian of Fastiv (Vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis), and Bishop Illarion of Svaliava (Vicar of the Mukachevo Diocese) participated in the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Archbishop Michael’s episcopal consecration.

Clergy from both the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church also participated in the Liturgy.

A large number of Ukrainians, who had been forced to relocate to the Czech Republic due to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, prayed at the service.

Following the Liturgy, Metropolitan Victor read a congratulatory message from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry to Archbishop Michael on the occasion of his 10th episcopal anniversary. In his message, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church stated:

"On this significant day, as I extend my greetings to Your Eminence, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, especially for our clergy and laity who have found refuge in your diocese during this brutal war. Through your mercy, fervent prayers before the Throne of the Almighty, and wise words, you represent a visible pledge of our unity in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3)."

Metropolitan Victor presented Archbishop Michael with a holy cross and a panagia.

In response, Archbishop Michael conveyed his sincere gratitude to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry and thanked the hierarchs who had traveled from Ukraine for their shared prayer.

As previously reported by the UOJ, a UOC hierarch recently officiated a Liturgy at a parish of the Czech Church in Prague.

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