Ukrainian Orthodox Church marks 12th anniversary of Primate’s enthronement

Anniversary of the enthronement of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC

On August 17, 2026, a solemn service was held at St Panteleimon Convent in Feofania to mark the 12th anniversary of the enthronement of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, the UOC Information and Education Department reports.

Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the monastery’s main cathedral. He was joined by permanent members of the UOC Holy Synod, hierarchs of the Church, clergy of the monastery and Kyiv, as well as visiting clergy. The choir of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary sang during the service.

At the Little Entrance, the Primate honored UOC hierarchs for their service to the Church: Bishop Jacob of Drohobych and Bishop Cleopa of Novoselytsia were elevated to the rank of archbishop.

During the Liturgy, special prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, deliverance from the enemy, refugees, and people of goodwill who help those in need.

After the dismissal, the Chancellor of the UOC read greetings from the primates of Local Orthodox Churches, while Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil and Kremenets conveyed a message from the Holy Synod.

His Beatitude thanked everyone for their congratulations and addressed those present, noting that every bishop bears witness to Christ Crucified and Risen both among his own flock and among those outside the Church.

The Primate also wished the faithful to live in love, patience, and mutual respect, stressing that forgiveness destroys sin, while the absence of forgiveness leads to the multiplication of evil.

After the service, believers personally congratulated the archpastor on the anniversary of his enthronement.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Serbian Patriarch had congratulated the UOC Primate on the 12th anniversary of his enthronement.

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