Primate names major milestones in the life of UOC in 2021
His Beatitude Onuphry named the 350-thousand religious procession of UOC believers in Kyiv on the Day of the Baptism of Rus’ one of the most important events of 2021.
On December 15, 2021, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, in his report at the final meeting of the clergy of the Kyiv Eparchy named major milestones in the life of the UOC in 2021, reports the UOC Information Centre on its Facebook page.
The meeting took place at the Church of Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. According to the Primate, one of the most important events in the life of the UOC was the celebration of the Day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus’ on July 27-28, on the occasion of which a 350-thousand procession took place in the Kyiv downtown. He also noted the Congress of Monastics held at the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra on July 15.
In addition, among the significant events, His Beatitude mentioned the prayer standings of believers in defence of the Church. In particular, on June 15, more than 20 thousand believers of the UOC gathered near the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to protect the Church from anti-constitutional laws and discrimination. Then the faithful drew public attention to the fact that in the 21st century in the centre of Europe, restrictions on the rights and freedoms of people on religious grounds continue. In addition, a request was made to the President of Ukraine to withdraw the invitation to Patriarch Bartholomew to come to Ukraine.
Also, on August 21, more than 10 thousand believers gathered in Kyiv to testify to their faithfulness to their Church and to meet with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who nevertheless arrived in Ukraine, to tell him about the consequences of his non-canonical actions to recognize schismatics. Then the head of the Phanar met with the Verkhovna Rada deputies but ignored the UOC believers who gathered under the walls of the Parliament.
Metropolitan Onuphry said in his report that on the first Sunday of Great Lent, on the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, it was planned to hold traditional cross processions and prayer standings in all eparchial centres of the Church to confirm our loyalty to Holy Orthodoxy. Such a religious procession was also planned in Kyiv, but it was postponed due to the worsening epidemic situation and the introduction of additional quarantine restrictions.
“We took it as a spiritual test. We know with what enthusiasm the believers of the Kyiv region prepared for this prayer event. And we thank the clergy and laity for their desire and readiness to fight for their right to profess the Orthodox faith,” the Primate highlighted.
As reported, Metropolitan Onuphry ranks first among spiritual leaders of Ukraine.
