On the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the church dedicated to St. Agapitus of the Caves. During the service, the Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was concelebrated by the Chancellor of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Bishop Mark of Borodyanka, and the monastery’s brethren and guest clergy.

The evening before, the Head led the Vigil service in the same church.

During the Liturgy, after the Gospel was read, the Head of the UOC delivered a sermon to the faithful, reminding them of how the Lord Jesus Christ raised the son of the widow of Nain from the dead.

“A person must constantly remain in prayer throughout their life,” continued Metropolitan Onuphry. “This means turning one’s mind towards God. A person should always read the Holy Scriptures, which also means turning one’s mind towards God.

No matter how many earthly concerns we may have, we must still find time to return our minds to God.

May the Lord help us, dear brothers and sisters, to live our lives in prayer so that we may learn to pray in every place. Then prayer will revive us and open our souls to Divine grace.”

During the service, special petitions were offered for the granting of peace and calm in our Ukrainian land, for deliverance from every enemy and adversary, and for God’s blessing upon those who have welcomed those forced to leave their homes.

The early Sunday Liturgy was celebrated in the church dedicated to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” The service was led by the Keeper of the Near Caves, Archimandrite John, together with the monastery’s clergy.

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