His Beatitude celebrates Liturgy at the capital's St.Elijah Church in Podil

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry at St. Elijah's Church in Kyiv. Photo: UOC

On August 2, 2025, on the day of the commemoration of the Holy Prophet Elijah, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine led the Divine Liturgy at the capital's St. Elijah's Church in Podil. This was reported by the UOC Information and Education Department.

The Primate was concelebrated by Archbishop Dionysiy of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi, Archbishop Spyridon of Vyshneve, Bishop Lavr of Irpin, and Bishop Mark of Borodianka, the clergy of the church, and guests in holy orders.

After the reading of the Holy Gospel, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry spoke about the feat of the Old Testament prophet who fought against idolatry and performed the miracle of fire descending from Heaven.

During the service, prayers were offered for peace in Ukrainian land and deliverance from the enemy, that the Lord may preserve those in despair and the homeless, for God's blessing on people of goodwill who help the needy. His Beatitude read a special prayer asking God for mercy on the Ukrainian people, that the Lord may grant wisdom to the authorities, strengthen the courage of the soldiers, free the captives, heal the sick, and provide shelter to those deprived of their homes.

The clergy, led by the Primate, prayed before the icon of the Holy Prophet Elijah. After the service, the archpastor congratulated the faithful on the feast.

St. Elijah's Church was built in 1692 at the expense of Kyiv resident Ivan Hudima-Levkovych, whose family continued to care for the church. The modern St. Elijah's Church is considered the successor of the Byzantine-Romanesque style temple (built by a "master from the Greeks"), which was located on the then bank of the Dnipro. However, it is possible that several churches have been replaced on this site. St. Elijah's Church is mentioned in the "Tale of Bygone Years" in the story of Prince Igor's treaty with Byzantium in 944. Thus, this church was built even before the Baptism of Rus' in 988 and is the oldest known church in Kyiv.

As reported by the UOJ, His Beatitude noted in his sermon about the prophet Elijah: those who know the truth go to eternal salvation.

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