In Zhytomyr Eparchy, funeral service held for UOC priest’s son killed in war

The newly departed warrior Veniamin Didkovskyi. Photo: Metropolitan Nikodim’s Facebook page

On February 19, 2026, Metropolitan Nikodim (Horenko) celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the departed and served the funeral rite for Veniamin Didkovskyi, the son of a priest of the Zhytomyr Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a newly reposed soldier, in the Annunciation Cathedral in the city of Korostyshiv. The hierarch reported this on his Facebook page.

Concelebrating with Metropolitan Nikodim of Zhytomyr and Novohrad-Volynskyi were Archbishop Huriy (Kuzmenko) and clergy of the eparchy.

During the service, prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the fallen soldier, the son of Archpriest Valeriy Didkovskyi. In the cathedral, family members, servicemen, and parishioners prayed together as they gathered to bid farewell to the warrior-defender.

After the funeral rite, Metropolitan Nikodim addressed those present with a pastoral word, expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, the clergy, and all who knew Veniamin. The archpastor reminded the faithful of the Christian hope of the Resurrection and urged everyone to preserve prayerful remembrance of the defender of the homeland.

As the UOJ previously reported, the son of a priest of the Zhytomyr Eparchy of the UOC was killed in the war.

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