We are with you: UOC faithful record dozens of videos to support His Beatitude

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry and the flock. Photo: t.me/My_za_MO

Videos expressing support for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine are being published on the Telegram channel “We Are With His Beatitude Onuphry.” The public campaign was prompted by reports that the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church may be stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship.

“I thank you for being our Primate! We are with you – the great family of the faithful. The UOC is us – the faith of the unshakable,” said Dania Payuk.

Volodymyr, a UOC parishioner from Poltava region, said of His Beatitude: "He is a role model for me."

Alla from Chernivtsi region joined the flash mob: “Dear Vladyka, I want to express my support and thank you for all you have done for our Ukrainian people and our Church. May Almighty God protect and strengthen you. We are with you. Glory to God for everything.”

Vasyl, another UOC parishioner, shared: “My Primate is His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, whom I trust and fully support. I do not trust or support the authorities who are violating the Constitution of Ukraine.”

Orthodox Christian Iryna Kriachek said: “I’m deeply grateful to God for sending us such a humble Metropolitan, who, in these difficult times for our country and our Church, has preserved our flock. We are with you, Your Beatitude. You are a man to be emulated. You are a true Christian. You do not call for rebellion or for struggle. I’m more than certain that if you did, many people would rise up – but then it would no longer be the Church of Christ.”

In his video message, Yevhen emphasized that the faithful’s love for Metropolitan Onuphry is primarily expressed through prayer.

Tymofiy: “We are with you, we pray for you. May the Lord keep you!”

Olena Romanova reminded the President of Ukraine of something some choose to overlook: “From the very first day of the war, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry publicly condemned Russian aggression. It was by his blessing that major spiritual and humanitarian assistance has been and continues to be provided to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Oleksiy: “When they scorn our spiritual father, we cannot remain silent. It is time to rise in his defense!”

“The UOC will stand firm! We pray!” declared Valentyn – and with him, all those expressing their support for the Primate.

Olena from Dnipro: “Only all together and with God's help will we defeat the enemy. His Beatitude is doing everything he can for peace in our country. God save Ukraine!”

The family of Fr. Dyonysiy Mandriuk, rector of the Church of St. Spyridon in Chernivtsi, also recorded words of support for the Primate:

The believer Photinia is convinced that earthly citizenship is of no ultimate importance for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry – he is a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

UOC faithful Volodymyr expressed indignation at the persecution of the Primate and the Church by the authorities: “In these days of neo-Bolshevik repressions, Your Beatitude, you are carrying this cross. And I thank you, because truly such a cross is given only to the strong… I hope and believe that under your leadership, we will pass through this trial. And at the end, victory awaits – not the victory that men have devised, but the one God Himself has prepared.”

Oleksandr, a UOC believer from Khmelnytskyi who has lived in Germany for many years but remains connected to his Church, stressed that the actions of the authorities are unconstitutional.

“Metropolitan Onuphry, I wish you strength and courage. May the Lord God protect you and grant you patience to endure. May the Mother of God shelter you under her veil.”

“God has entrusted His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry with the people of our country for the most important task – the salvation of their souls! That is the most vital need for all of us. Therefore, I urge everyone to support His Beatitude in every possible way in his difficult labor. And above all – pray for our Primate daily,” said Vladyslav.

Ivan drew attention to the violation of Article 25 of the Constitution of Ukraine, which the authorities are ignoring in their attempt to revoke Metropolitan Onuphry’s citizenship.

UOC parishioner Maria also joined the campaign with words of support.

The parish of St. Paraskeva in the village of Stari Broskivtsi, Bukovyna, also took part: “Your Beatitude, we are with you!”

Ivan Kovalets, a UOC parishioner for over 30 years, stated that he has never heard political slogans in UOC churches: “Ukraine should be proud to have such a citizen – not seek artificial reasons to revoke his citizenship,” he said of the Primate.

The organizers of the flash mob are calling on all concerned to join by sending their own video messages of support for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. You can do so via:

• Private message to the Facebook page: facebook.com/ZaPredstoyatelya
• Telegram chatbot: @forpfeedback_bot
• Email: myzaonufriya@gmail.com

As previously reported by the UOJ, the first video message was recorded by a war veteran who served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a combat medic.

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