70 men from Ukraine and Europe complete UOC altar-server training course

In the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy of the UOC, a course for altar servers has concluded. Photo: eparchial press service

In the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy of the UOC, a course for altar servers has concluded. Photo: eparchial press service

The online course “Guardians of the Altar,” organized by the youth department of the Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has concluded. According to the eparchy’s press service, 70 active altar servers (assistants to the priest during services) took part – from 13 regions of Ukraine as well as from abroad, including Australia, Germany, and Ireland.

The course lasted two months and included online lectures, homework assignments, and an exam. Special attention was given to understanding liturgical symbolism and the responsibility of serving in the altar.

At the end of the course, participants received personalized certificates, and the three top students were given commemorative gifts from the organizers.

“Thank you to all the young men for their work, discipline, and diligence in service. May the Lord strengthen every ‘Guardian of the Altar’ and bless each one with attentive, reverent service, with love for God,” the organizers wished the project participants.

As the UOJ previously reported, an academic olympiad was held in the Rivne Eparchy among Sunday school students.

Metropolitan Victor offers condolences to families of shelling victims

The ruling hierarch of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the Russian attack on Khmelnytskyi on October 19.

Pope urges Zelensky to ensure safe evacuation from Oleshky

During a phone call, the pontiff raised concerns about the dire situation in the Kherson region town and discussed humanitarian aid for its residents.

Kharkiv Metropolitan offers condolences to victims of Nova Vodolaha strike

Metropolitan Onuphry expressed condolences to the families of those killed in a Russian strike on Nova Vodolaha in the Kharkiv region.

Metropolitan of Berlin blesses aid fundraiser for UOC convent in Donbas

An Orthodox community in Cologne has called on the faithful to help nuns facing severe hardship due to the fighting.

Dumenko: Mazepa returned to Lavra thanks to Zelensky

The OCU head said the installation of a bust of Hetman Ivan Mazepa at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was made possible by Zelensky and the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory.

Patriarch Bartholomew hits back at petition against his Bulgaria visit

The Phanar head called opponents of his visit "zealots" with "zeal not according to knowledge" and said they would not succeed in disrupting his trip to Bulgaria.