Primate of UOC officiates glorification of saints in Alexandria

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry during a festive divine service in Alexandria. Photo: news.church.ua

On June 21, 2021, on the day of the Holy Spirit, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry officiated a festive service at the Intercession Cathedral in Alexandria, during which the rite of glorification of the locally revered saints of the Alexandrian Diocese was performed, according to news.church.ua.

The Primate was concelebrated by the Chancellor of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Metropolitan Ephraim of Kryvyi Rih and Nikopol, Bishop Ioasaph of Kirovograd and Novomirgorod, Metropolitan Philaret of Novokakhovka and Genichesk, Metropolitan Nikolai of Kremenchug and Lubny, Archbishop Iona of Obukhiv, Archbishop Bogolep of Alexandria and Svitlovodsk, Bishop Lavr of Irpen, and Archbishop Mark of Borodianka, clergy of the diocese and guests in the priesthood.

After the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and believers offered prayers to the newly glorified saints. His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry blessed the flock and congratulated everyone on the holiday.

Archbishop Bogolep, rector of the Diocese of Alexandria, delivered a welcoming speech and thanked the Primate for the archpastoral visit.

On April 3, 2019, the Holy Synod decided to rank Blessed Julita among the locally revered saints of the Alexandria Diocese of the UOC. The uncovering of the saint's relics took place on May 17 of the same year. The local veneration of the holy martyrs Basil, Theodore, Alexander and Jacob was blessed by the Synod on December 9, 2020.

Traditionally, the decisions of the Holy Synod of the UOC on establishing the veneration of the saints were announced and their lives were read out. The troparion, kontakion and exaltation were sung to the newly glorified saints.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Primate will lead the glorification of locally revered saints in Alexandria.

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."