Musician becomes a monk: monastic tonsure performed at Mezhyrich Monastery
Monk Kronid. Photo: Press service of the Rivne Eparchy
On 5 April 2025, on the Feast of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, the rite of monastic tonsure took place within the walls of the Holy Trinity Mezhyrich Monastery, as reported by the press service of the Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
The tonsure was performed by Archbishop Pimen of Rivne and Ostroh. Novice Boris, who had served for 18 years as a sacristan at the Resurrection Church in the town of Ostroh, renounced the world and pledged allegiance to Christ. During the tonsure, he received a new name – Kronid, in honour of Saint Martyr Kronid.
"Monastic life is not an escape from the world, but a feat of love for God. In the tonsure, a person leaves everything to find Everything. Today, you, Brother Kronid, have become part of Christ’s spiritual army. Pray, work, be humble – and the Lord will not leave you without His grace," addressed Archbishop Pimen to the newly tonsured monk.
The tonsure rite took place in the monastery’s church after the evening service, in the presence of the brethren, pilgrims, and parishioners. In prayer, silence, and focus, the newly tonsured monk stood before the altar of God as a "living sacrifice", according to the ancient monastic tradition.
The eparchy’s press service noted that Boris had been a musician in the past, a drummer in well-known Ukrainian bands.
Earlier, the UOJ analyzed why, despite the persecution, the number of monks in the UOC is growing.
Read also
18th-century gates of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra presented in London
State art historians have identified masterpieces by Kyiv goldsmiths in London.
In mosque, OCU "bishop" and DESS experts dine at iftar during Ramadan
At an iftar in Kyiv, authors of expert assessments against the UOC were awarded Islamic orders in the presence of the deputy head of DESS and a "hierarch" of Dumenko's structure.
Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”
The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.
Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size
The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.
Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”