His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

Consecration of the Vicar Bishop of Rakhiv. Photo: UOC's Press Service

On the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, a hierarchical consecration was held at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra for Archimandrite Mark (Kushtan), who was ordained as Bishop of Rakhiv. The service was led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, reports the UOC's press service.

The solemn Divine Liturgy took place on March 30, 2025, the feast day of St. John Climacus, in the Church of St. Agapitus of the Caves on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

The newly consecrated Bishop Mark (Kushtan) will serve as a vicar of the Khust Eparchy. His election was decided by the Holy Synod of the UOC during its session on March 19, 2025.

In accordance with tradition, before the start of the Liturgy, the bishop-elect publicly professed the Orthodox faith and took vows to uphold Church Tradition and the Holy Canons.

Eleven bishops participated in the consecration, including Metropolitan Mark, the ruling hierarch of the Khust Eparchy.

During the service, special prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, the release of captives, healing of the sick, and support for those left homeless.

During the Liturgy, His Beatitude also ordained Illia Nychyporuk, a graduate of the Kyiv Theological Seminary, to the diaconate.

After the service, the traditional rite of presenting the episcopal staff to the newly consecrated bishop took place. His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry then addressed Bishop Mark with words of guidance.

In his address, the Primate reminded the new bishop of the great responsibility of the episcopal ministry: “From this day forward, you are called – more than ever before – to be a fisher of human souls, to save them from the power of the devil and sin, and to make them children of God.”

His Beatitude emphasized that meekness, humility, and obedience are the best qualities of spiritual leaders and urged the bishop to be “an example of a pious life to the people.”

“Neither the desire for power, nor for glory, nor for comfort should motivate your actions. Only love – love for God and for people – can be your driving force,” he said.

His Beatitude also gave special attention to the trials faced by the Church: “As St. John Vyshensky said, the main sign of the true Church is that it is always persecuted. And as St. Gregory the Theologian noted, persecution only makes the Church more glorious through suffering.”

Afterward, Bishop Mark of Rakhiv gave his first archpastoral blessing to the faithful.

The Khust Eparchy is one of the largest in the UOC in the Zakarpattia region. The appointment of a vicar bishop reflects the growing number of parishes and the vibrant church life in the area.

Earlier, it was reported that the Holy Synod of the UOC had elected a vicar bishop for the Khust Eparchy.

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