His Beatitude Onuphry leads Liturgy in Kyiv Caves Lavra on Dormition Feast

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry during the Divine Liturgy in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. Photo: Synodal Information and Education Department of the UOC

On August 28, 2025, the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine presided over the Divine Liturgy in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

The service took place in the church of Venerable Agapitus of the Caves. Concelebrating with the Primate were Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Metropolitan Clement of Nizhyn and Pryluky, Metropolitan Filaret of Lviv and Halych, several archbishops and bishops of the UOC, the monastery’s clergy, and visiting clergy.

At the Little Entrance, His Beatitude presented the brotherhood of the Lavra with liturgical awards and church orders.

After the reading of the Gospel, Metropolitan Onuphry delivered a sermon on the Most Holy Theotokos, emphasizing her special place in the work of salvation.

During the liturgy, prayers were raised for peace in Ukraine, for the deliverance of the people from the enemy, for the consolation of those who have lost loved ones and homes, and for blessings upon those who help the needy. The Primate also entreated the Lord to strengthen the soldiers, free the captives, and heal the sick.

The service concluded with prayer before the shroud of the Mother of God. At the end, His Beatitude Onuphry congratulated the faithful on the patronal feast of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and bestowed his archpastoral blessing.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Gethsemane the Praise of the Theotokos was celebrated at the Tomb of the Mother of God.

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