Monastic tonsure performed at Kyiv Theological Schools
Monastic tonsure of students of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary. December 21, 2025 Photo: KDAiS press service
On December 21, 2025, at the Church of Venerable Agapitus of the Caves of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, Archbishop Sylvester, performed the monastic tonsure of three students. They were second-year Academy student Davyd Sharamko, first-year Academy student Heorhii Momot, and fourth-year Seminary student Mykola Myronets, according to the KDAiS press service.
During the tonsure, the students received new monastic names: Kirion, in honor of Kyrion II of Georgia; Ioannikii, in honor of Ioannikii of Kyiv; and Sophronii, in honor of Sophronius of Irkutsk.
The spiritual sponsor of the newly tonsured monks was the confessor of the Kyiv Theological Schools, Bishop Panteleimon Melnyk.
After the tonsure, Archbishop Sylvester congratulated the monks Kirion, Ioannikii, and Sophronii, emphasizing the importance of humility and constant spiritual growth in monastic life.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that His Beatitude presided over the patronal feast of the church of the Kyiv Theological Schools.
Read also
Unknown assailants set fire to synagogue in the Netherlands
A nighttime arson attack in Rotterdam, accompanied by an explosion at the entrance to the building, has stirred fear in the Jewish community amid a rise in attacks on religious sites.
Shevchuk: ROC still refers to Lviv Council without adding “pseudo” prefix
The head of the Uniates once again claimed an exclusive role for his structure in the making of Ukraine and accused the Moscow Patriarchate of clinging to “Soviet clichés.”
Israeli army kills Catholic priest in Lebanon
Fifty-year-old Pierre El-Rai was killed after the Israeli army shelled a residential home while he was trying to help his parishioners during the attack.
Cuban authorities release 51 prisoners at Vatican’s request
Havana granted clemency to the prisoners after the Cuban foreign minister’s personal meeting with Pope Leo XIV and talks at the Vatican.
Monastic tonsure performed at Hoshcha Monastery
Metropolitan Pimen tonsured three sisters of the Protection convent into the lesser schema.
DESS accuses UOC of “abusing justice system”
Members of the Expert Council expressed outrage that lawyers for the Kyiv Metropolia are using lawful means of defense in the courts.