Metropolitan Onuphry ordains KDAiS students as readers

The rite of tonsure into readers. Photo: Press Service of the UOC

On March 23, 2025, on the Third Sunday of Great Lent, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry officiated the solemn service at the Academic Church of the Kyiv Theological Academy located in the territory of the Holosiiv Intercession Monastery. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

Before the Liturgy at the church in honor of St. John of Damascus, the Head and Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy performed the rite of ordination to the rank of reader over the students of the 4th year of the Kyiv Theological Seminary and the 1st year of the Kyiv Theological Academy.

The press service of the UOC reminded that a reader is the first rank of the Orthodox clergy, the lowest degree of church minister. A bishop ordains a reader through the rite of ordination – a sacred act performed with the archbishop's blessing, tonsure, and laying on of hands as a sign of affirmation in the church office. The duty of one who has accepted this ministry is to read liturgical texts and the Holy Scriptures (except for the Gospel) in the church.

In ancient times, readers not only read the Holy Scriptures but also interpreted and translated them into the local language, which required significant education. Great holy fathers began their service to the Church in the rank of reader: St. Gregory the Theologian, St. Basil the Great, and St. John Chrysostom. In Kyiv theological schools, the tonsure is traditionally performed over students of the graduating class of the seminary.

His Beatitude was assisted by the rector of the KDAiS, Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka, the vice-rector for educational work of KDAiS, Archbishop Amvrosiy of Zghurivka, Bishop Lavr of Irpin, Bishop Mark of Borodianka, the vice-rector for academic and methodological work of KDAiS, Bishop Panteleimon of Baturyn, and teachers and students of theological schools in holy orders.

In the prayer after the litanies, His Beatitude the Archpastor asked God for mercy for the Ukrainian people, that the Lord would grant wisdom to the authorities, strengthen the courage of the soldiers, free the captives, heal the sick, and provide shelter for the homeless.

During the memorial litanies, prayers were offered for the souls of the victims of the nighttime enemy attack on Kyiv.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a Protestant and his little daughter were killed in Kyiv by a shahed strike.

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