Met Agapit tonsures priest into Great Schema in Otchenashivka church

Metropolitan Agapit tonsures the rector of the Otchenashivka church. Photo: Eparchy press service

On April 14, 2025, Holy Monday, Metropolitan Agapit of Mohyliv-Podilskyi and Sharhorod celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Protection of the Theotokos Church in the village of Otchenashivka, Tomashpil Deanery, the eparchy’s press service reports.

Before the start of the Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Agapit performed the rite of tonsure into the Great Schema for the rector of the church, Archpriest Ioann, who received the name Sergius in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

Clergy of the eparchy concelebrated with the metropolitan during the service.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Agapit addressed the newly tonsured schemamonk with words of spiritual guidance.

The Great Schema is the highest degree of monasticism in the Orthodox Church, requiring an especially strict way of life and deep commitment to prayer. Those who enter the Great Schema take vows of complete renunciation of the world and its concerns, dedicating themselves entirely to God.

Earlier, the UOJ explored why the number of monastics in the UOC continues to grow amid persecution.

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