Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, attended the National Prayer Breakfast on August 23, 2026, held under the patronage and with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Metropolitan Epifaniy was accompanied by hierarchs and clergy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. He opened the gathering with the Lord’s Prayer before addressing those present.
In his remarks, the Metropolitan stressed the importance of united prayer for Ukraine, its people and the country’s armed forces, which continue to defend the nation against the Russian aggression.
He called for intensified prayers for Ukrainian soldiers, emphasizing that it is thanks to their heroic sacrifice that Ukrainians are able to gather in the capital and give thanks to God together.
Metropolitan Epifaniy also referred to this year’s 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. He said that the Russian strike on the Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral demonstrated that “nothing is sacred” to the aggressor country.
The Primate also warned of the destructive consequences of the ideology of the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir) and urged Ukrainians to continue their common struggle, placing their trust in God and seeking His assistance.
The National Prayer Breakfast brought together representatives of Churches and religious organizations from Ukraine and abroad, government officials, members of the military, international partners, chaplains, families of fallen Ukrainian soldiers, diplomats and representatives of charitable organizations.
Among the distinguished international guests were Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine General Keith Kellogg, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. senators and other officials.
