Primate of UOC congratulates Ukrainians on Statehood Day

On July 28, 2022, the feast day of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir and the Baptism of Rus, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Onuphry in his sermon recalled that on that day Ukraine celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Statehood. The sermon of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church can be found on the YouTube channel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
According to the Archpastor, Prince Vladimir founded the great power – Kievan Rus, whose successor is Ukraine, and urged to pray to the holy Baptizer for the native land.
"Today, when the Holy Church prayerfully commemorates and celebrates the memory of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, we also celebrate Statehood Day, because Prince Vladimir founded the great power that was called Kievan Rus. Today the successor of this Rus is Ukraine," said the Archbishop.
His Beatitude stressed that we "pray to St Prince Vladimir to bless our land, to bless our people, to stop with his prayers the bloodshed that is in our land, to great regret and to great sorrow."
"But we believe and hope that through the prayers of St. Prince Vladimir the Lord will stop this killing of each other and peace will reign in our land," said His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.
As reported, in his sermon on the Day of the Baptism of Rus’, His Beatitude called on every believer to improve their virtues in order to make all humankind better.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.