UOC Primate officiates Liturgy at Lavra on Praise of the Theotokos Feast
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: UOC
On April 5, 2025, the Feast of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Agapitus of the Kyiv Caves in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, according to the UOC's press service.
Concelebrating with the Primate were Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Chancellor of the UOC; Bishop Lavr of Irpin and Bishop Mark of Borodianka, both vicars of the Kyiv Eparchy; along with clergy of the Lavra and visiting priests. Many faithful were present for the service, and the choir of the Lavra brotherhood sang during the Liturgy.
Special prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and for deliverance from the enemy; that the Lord would have mercy on the people, protect those who are in despair and have lost their homes, bless all people of goodwill who assist those in need, strengthen the courage of the soldiers, grant freedom to captives, and healing to the sick.
At the end of the service, His Beatitude addressed the faithful with words of spiritual instruction. He spoke about the origins of the Feast of the Praise of the Theotokos, established in gratitude for the deliverance of Constantinople from enemy attack.
“Today, we are experiencing something similar,” the archpastor noted. “We are surrounded by many adversaries on all sides. And today we pray that the Mother of God may also protect us, have mercy on us, obtain forgiveness of our sins, and cover us with Her gracious prayerful veil.”
As previously reported by the UOJ, on the eve of the feast, His Beatitude led the Matins service with the Akathist to the Theotokos at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
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