His Beatitude celebrates “Standing of St. Mary” service at Kyiv Caves Lavra

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reads the Great Penitential Canon. Photo: UOC

On Wednesday of the fifth week of Great Lent, April 2, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry led the Matins service with the reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, reports the UOC's Information and Education Department.

The service, also known as the “Standing of St. Mary”, was held in the Lavra’s Church of St. Agapitus.

Concelebrating with the Primate were Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Chancellor of the UOC; Bishop Lavr of Irpin; Bishop Mark of Borodianka; the Lavra clergy, and visiting priests.

The hallmark of this day’s service is the full reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, parts of which are chanted during Compline in the first four days of Lent.

Following tradition, the Life of St. Mary of Egypt was also read during the service, recounting the remarkable transformation of a sinful woman into a great saint. Her life serves as a model of true repentance and a testament to the boundless mercy of God toward every person. It is because of this reading that the Matins service on the Thursday of the fifth week of Lent is popularly known as the “Standing of St. Mary”.

As previously reported by the UOJ, His Beatitude recently said that fasting and prayer are the two staffs that support one on the path to spiritual grace.

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