Diplomats of Orthodox countries pray at Primate-led worship in Kiev Lavra

Representatives of the embassies of Orthodox states attended the service at the Kiev-Caves Lavra. Photo: facebook.com/Church.ua

On March 8, 2020, representatives of the embassies of Serbia, Greece, Russia and Moldova prayed at a service on the occasion of the Triumph of Orthodoxy Feast in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the Information and Education Department of the UOC reports.

The following representatives of foreign Orthodox states in Ukraine prayed at the service: Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Ukraine Mr. Aca Jovanović, Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Federation to Ukraine Mr. Alexander Lukashik, Advisor to the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Ukraine Mr. Yannis Dermendzoglou, Advisor to the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Ukraine Mr. Ioann Bularga, as well as a Ukrainian diplomat, former Ukrainian Chargé d'Affaires to Romania, Feofil Rendiuk.

In his address to the guests after the Liturgy, His Beatitude Vladyka emphasized, “Our peoples who profess a common faith, despite national differences in language and culture, share special spiritual bonds with each other. It is important to continue to maintain and strengthen this spiritual unity.”

After the service at the residence of the Primate in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Onuphry met with representatives of the diplomatic corps. His Beatitude congratulated the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Ukraine, Mr. Aca Jovanović, on his 60th birthday and presented a valuable gift as a prayer keepsake.

As reported by the UOJ, earlier His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine led the services of the Sunday of Orthodoxy in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.

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