UOC hierarch leads patronal feast of persecuted community in Mykhalcha

Patronal feast of the persecuted community in Mykhalcha. Photo: Facebook page of Chernivtsi Eparchy faithful

The persecuted community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Mykhalcha, Storozhynets Deanery, celebrated its patronal feast. Bishop Nikita of Ivano-Frankivsk led the community’s festive service in honor of the Translation of the Image of Our Lord Jesus Christ Not Made by Hands in the Chernivtsi Eparchy. This was reported on Facebook by faithful of the UOC Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy.

Also joining parish rector Archpriest Serhiy Tsurkan for the patronal feast were Mitred Archpriest Vasyl Kovalchuk, dean of the Storozhynets District, and other clergy of the eparchy. During the service, the bishop and clergy offered prayers for peace in Ukraine. They also prayed to the Lord for the protection of Ukrainian soldiers and for strength for those enduring the severe trials of war.

The sermon after the Communion verse was delivered by Mitred Archpriest Vitaliy Durov, rector of the persecuted parish dedicated to St. Amphilochius of Pochaiv in the village of Zadubrivka, Zastavna Deanery.

At the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Nikita and the clergy performed a rite of glorification before the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands. The bishop then offered the faithful words of spiritual guidance and support.

At the request of Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna and with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, parish church worker Vasyl Ivanovych Filip was awarded an order of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

In conclusion, parish rector Archpriest Serhiy Tsurkan thanked Bishop Nikita for celebrating the festive hierarchical service. Fr. Serhiy also expressed his gratitude to the clergy and faithful for their shared prayer on the parish’s patronal feast.

As the UOJ reported, the persecuted parish in Vaslovivtsi celebrated the Feast of the Dormition with an outdoor service.

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