On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC

On February 22, 2026, during Cheesefare Week (Forgiveness Sunday), His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. This was reported by the UOC Information and Education Department.

On this topic UOC Primate blesses special prayer rule for Great Lent

The Sunday service took place at the Church of Saint Agapitus of the Caves. The Primate was concelebrated by UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Antony of Boryspil and Brovary, vicars of the Kyiv Eparchy – Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka, Archbishop Lavr of Irpin, Archbishop Mark of Borodianka, as well as the clergy of the monastery.

After the reading of the Holy Gospel, His Beatitude addressed the faithful with a sermon. During the Liturgy, prayers were offered for peace in the Ukrainian land, for deliverance from the enemy, and for the preservation of the people in current trials.

Prayers were also offered for those who lost their homes, for the support of people of goodwill helping the needy, for granting wisdom to the authorities, strengthening soldiers with courage, liberation of prisoners, and healing of the sick.

During the service, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry ordained deacon Mykhailo Obretsky, a first-year master's student at the Kyiv Theological Academy, to the priesthood. At the end of the Liturgy, the Primate congratulated the faithful on Forgiveness Sunday and wished them God's help in the endeavor of fasting, prayer, humility, and repentance, so that they might worthily pass through the time of Great Lent and joyfully meet the Bright Resurrection of Christ.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that His Beatitude Onuphrius addressed his flock before the beginning of Great Lent.

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