His Beatitude leads night Paschal service at Lavra's Agapitus Church
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry at the Paschal service. Photo: UOC
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry presided over the Paschal service at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, according to the UOC’s official channel.
The service began with the Paschal Midnight Office followed by a procession of the Cross. Concelebrating with the Primate were hierarchs, visiting clergy in holy orders, and the monastery’s brotherhood. At the conclusion of Paschal Matins, the Catechetical Homily for Holy Pascha by St. John Chrysostom was traditionally read.
His Beatitude greeted the faithful on the feast of the Resurrection of Christ and distributed Paschal gifts.
As is customary, the clergy read the Holy Gospel in multiple languages.
During the Liturgy, the Holy Fire from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem arrived at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The Primate met the shrine at the entrance to the church and lit a lamp from it. The blessed flame was then distributed to the gathered faithful.
At the end of the Liturgy, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry blessed the Paschal artos. He then sprinkled the faithful and their Paschal baskets with holy water.
As reported by the UOJ, His Beatitude emphasized in his Paschal address to the faithful that Christ grants each person the key to paradise.
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