UOC bishop shares how two metropolitans, Onuphry and Volodymyr, first met

Metropolitan Volodymyr and Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: Ogirenko Valentyn

During a podcast dedicated to the memory of His Beatitude Volodymyr (Sabodan), Metropolitan Victor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv recounted how, back in Soviet times, the two future Primates of the UOC – Metropolitans Onuphry and Volodymyr – met and came to know one another.

According to Metropolitan Victor, when His Beatitude Volodymyr was rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, the abbot of the Trinity–Sergius Lavra was Archimandrite Ieronym. A strong friendship formed between them, and the two were in constant contact. At that time, the monastery and academy worked closely together, and joint meals often took place either at the abbot’s residence or at the rector’s.

The future Primate of the UOC, Onuphry, together with the current Archbishop Mark of Khust and Vynohradiv, served as cell attendants to Fr. Ieronym – helping the abbot in his quarters.

One day, Fr. Ieronym asked the young monk Onuphry to invite the rector to dinner. Metropolitan Viktor recalls the story as told by His Beatitude Onuphry:

“I went over, knocked on the door. The rector opens it – wearing a podryasnik, quite slender. And I say: ‘I’ve come to accompany you to dinner with the abbot.’ He asks me: ‘What is your name?’ – ‘Onuphry.’ – ‘And where are you from?’ – ‘From Bukovyna, from the Chernivtsi region.’ – ‘Oh, then we are countrymen, I’m from Khmelnychchyna.’”

“It was all so simple and natural. I didn’t even notice how we had already arrived at the abbot’s. I wanted to speak with him further, but there was no time for me anymore, because the abbot and the rector immediately began their conversation. That first moment was so pleasant – when I saw and felt that simplicity,” Metropolitan Onuphry later recalled.

According to Metropolitan Victor, simplicity is one of the chief qualities shared by both UOC Primates – the late Metropolitan Volodymyr and the current Primate, Metropolitan Onuphry.

“His Beatitude Onuphry is a simple man. He is very easy to speak with. There are no barriers. I see this both in his interaction with bishops, clergy, and with ordinary people – just as it was with His Beatitude Volodymyr,” Metropolitan Viktor emphasized.

Among other shared traits of the two Primates, the bishop named love for people, sensitivity, and humility.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Victor of Khmelnytsky presented a report on His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr’s position regarding the canonical status of the UOC.

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