KIEV: June 26, 2018
Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany and delegates from the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand attend namesday celebrations for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onouphry

On Monday, June 25, 2018, the feast day of St Onouphry the Great, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onouphry of Kiev and All Ukraine officiated at Divine Liturgy at Uspensky Cathedral in the Kiev Lavra of the Caves, as reported by the information center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

His Beatitude was joined in the service by metropolitans, archbishops and bishops of the UOC, over 70 hierarchs in all. His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and other clergymen also participated, including Protopriest Vladimir Boikov, Dean of New Zealand, and other clergymen of the monastery.

After the Gospel reading, the Primate of the UOC delivered a sermon. His Beatitude spoke about the life of his heavenly patron, St Onouphry the Great, and explained the importance of the asceticism of such hermits to the world. “We all live thanks to the prayers of such few persons, who, seeking refuge from the world, give themselves to prayerful sacrifice to God. They pray day and night, beseeching the Lord for mercy upon us all,” he noted.

A special prayer for peace in Ukraine was read during Liturgy.

After the dismissal, Many Years was sung for Vladyka Onouphry. The senior hierarch of the UOC, His Eminence Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Izmail, then read a congratulatory message to His Beatitude, who offered his thanks and blessing to all.

The Primate of the UOC then received congratulatory messages from his flock.