Monastic tonsures performed at Kyiv Theological Academy

Monks after the tonsure. Photo: Press service of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary (KDAiS)

On April 2, 2025, in the Church of St. Agapitus of the Caves at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka, performed the monastic tonsure of Vasyl Bondar, a KDAiS graduate, and Oleh Franchuk, a second-year student of the Academy, according to KDAiS’s press service.

At the tonsure, Vasyl Bondar received the name Theophil, in honor of St. Theophil of Kyiv (commemorated on November 10), while Oleh Franchuk was given the name Vasyl, in honor of the Hieromartyr Vasyl (Bogdashevsky) (commemorated on February 26).

The spiritual sponsor for the newly tonsured monks Theophil and Vasyl was Bishop Panteleimon (Melnyk), the spiritual father of the Kyiv theological schools.

After the tonsure, Archbishop Sylvester congratulated the new monks and addressed them with a pastoral exhortation. His Eminence spoke about the profound importance of the monastic calling and offered the following spiritual counsel:

“The love of Christ renews and purifies all other imperfect forms of love that exist within us. May the love of Christ give you strength to overcome difficulties and always remain faithful to your vocation.”

Attending the monastic rite were Metropolitan Clement of Nizhyn and Pryluky, Chairman of the Educational Committee under the Holy Synod of the UOC; Archbishop Ambrose of Zghurivka, Vice-Rector for Disciplinary Affairs; Bishop Panteleimon of Baturyn, Vice-Rector for Academic and Methodological Work; Bishop Philaret of Baryshivka, Head of the Postgraduate Department of KDAiS; as well as members of the administration, faculty, and students of the Kyiv theological schools.

At the conclusion of the service, Archbishop Sylvester called down God’s blessing upon the newly tonsured monks. Then, in accordance with tradition, all those present congratulated Theophil and Vasyl. Afterward, the new monks, accompanied by the academic brotherhood and students, proceeded – accompanied by liturgical chants – to the Academy Church of St. John of Damascus at the Holy Protection Monastery in Holosiiv, where they will spend three days in prayer.

Earlier, the UOJ analyzed why, despite the current persecution of the UOC, the number of monks within it continues to steadily grow.

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