His Beatitude urges seminary graduates to preach by the example of their lives

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry and KDAiS graduates. Photo: UOC

On June 9, 2025, the Day of the Holy Spirit, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine presided over the celebrations marking the conclusion of the 2024/2025 academic year at the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary. The event was reported by the UOC’s Information and Education Department.

The Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Academy Church dedicated to Venerable John of Damascus, located on the grounds of the Protection Monastery in Holosiiv.

Concelebrating with him were Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl, Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra; Metropolitan Clement of Nizhyn and Pryluky, Chairman of the UOC Synodal Education Committee; Archbishop Isaakiy of Vorzel, Abbot of the Holosiiv Monastery; Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka, Rector of the Kyiv Theological Schools; along with other hierarchs of the UOC, faculty members, and students of the Kyiv theological institutions who are in holy orders.

His Beatitude awarded liturgical honors to seminary and academy graduates who are already ordained clergy.

During the Liturgy, special prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and thanksgiving to the Lord for the completed academic year.

Metropolitan Onuphry also ordained Vladyslav Vovchko, a graduate of the Kyiv Theological Seminary, to the diaconate.

After the service, a formal graduation ceremony was held, during which diplomas were presented to the graduates of the Academy and Seminary.

The archpastor congratulated the faculty, students, and graduates on the completion of the academic year and addressed the graduates with words of guidance.

His Beatitude emphasized that a new chapter now begins for the graduates – to be an example for others:
“Your main sermon is your life,” he said. “If a priest lives according to what he teaches, his word carries great power. If not, it becomes but a sounding brass.”

Metropolitan Onuphry urged young pastors not to rush into changes upon arriving at their new parishes, but to show patience and love for their flock:
“Begin not with reforms, but with respect. People must see in you a true shepherd – and then they will follow you of their own accord.”

As previously reported by the UOJ, on the feast of Pentecost, the Primate of the UOC reminded the faithful of the imprint of the Triune Godhead in every human being.

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