His Beatitude Onuphry serves litiya for fallen soldiers
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine offered a prayer for the repose of soldiers and civilians who died in the war. Photo: UOC
On February 24, 2026, marking the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine served a litiya for the repose of the souls of Orthodox warrior-defenders and offered prayers for all innocent civilians who have lost their lives during the war. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.
The service took place in the church dedicated to Venerable Agapitus of the Kyiv Caves. Concelebrating with the Primate were hierarchs, the clergy of the monastery, and the faithful, while the monastic choir sang.
With the blessing of the Primate, on this day services are being held in all churches and monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with special petitions for peace in Ukraine, for the defenders of our state, as well as memorial services for those who were killed or died during this war.
In his address, the Primate stated: “Dear brothers and sisters! May our prayers to the Lord today be a testimony of our sincere trust in Him, our love for our compatriots and for all who labor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (cf. Eph. 4:3) and to end the terrible bloodshed from which the blessed Ukrainian land – our common home – now suffers. May hope not leave us; may despondency not enter our hearts. Let us continue to labor together, defend our Homeland, and preserve our inner unity – and the Lord will not abandon us.”
The Primate called on the faithful to preserve spiritual unity, support one another in times of trial, and not to weaken in prayer for peace, emphasizing that only through repentance, mercy, and mutual love is it possible to overcome the consequences of war and preserve the integrity of society.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that His Beatitude read the first part of the Great Penitential Canon in the Lavra.
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