Khmelnytskyi Metropolitan comes to cathedral to support believers

Metropolitan Vikror of Khmelnytskyi. Photo: a screenshot from the YouTube channel "Virni" ("Faithful")

Metropolitan Viktor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv visited the St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Khmelnytskyi on May 22, 2025, to support the parishioners whose festive service was disrupted by radicals. The video of the archbishop's communication with the believers was published by the YouTube channel "Faithful".

The hierarch arrived at the temple at a moment when radically minded activists continued to stand guard near the cathedral, shouting provocative and anti-church slogans, including calls for death. Despite the aggressive atmosphere, the archbishop addressed the believers with words of love and forgiveness.

“We will never forget this feast. It will forever remain in our memory and in our hearts,” emphasized Metropolitan Viktor.

The hierarch thanked the community for their steadfastness and loyalty to the Church: “I sincerely thank you for your strength, for your courage, for standing by each other because our strength is in our unity. For your patience, for your humility, and for your love.”

He urged the Orthodox to keep a Christian position – not to respond to evil with evil, but to live in love: “Let us love one another, even those who do not love us. Let us embrace one another, even those who do not want to embrace us. Let us support one another… because God is love. And this is our main weapon.”

The archpastor also called for continued prayers for the people of Ukraine, the defending warriors, the Khmelnytskyi region, and all Orthodox Christians, urging to keep peace in their hearts.

As reported by the UOJ, the solemn all-night vigil on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the eparchy, in which His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry was to participate, was previously canceled in Khmelnytskyi. The reason was a planned action by radicals, initiated by activist Yevhen Karas and deputy Viktor Burlyk. They called on Khmelnytskyi residents to gather at the St. Nicholas Cathedral and disrupt the service.

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