On June 15, the feast day of his heavenly patron, Blessed Archbishop Ieronymos Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine made a heartfelt public statement on social media.
On behalf of the entire Local Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and personally, Metropolitan Epifaniy addressed Archbishop Ieronymos as a beloved brother in Christ, offering his sincerest congratulations and warmest wishes.
“Your Beatitude, your heavenly protector, Venerable Jerome of Stridon, by the example of his devout life, reminds us all of the importance of faith, enlightenment, and wise and devoted service to the Lord,” he said. “You worthily follow this high spiritual example and are a good and prudent shepherd for the faithful entrusted to you by God.”
Metropolitan Epifaniy also expressed deep gratitude for Archbishop Ieronymos’s unwavering support during difficult times for the brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. “You did not remain indifferent in these hard times for your brothers and sisters in Christ, the faithful of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. I am deeply grateful to you and the entire Church of Greece for the support, prayers, and love you have already shown to the Church of Ukraine and continue to show. This support is precious and vital for us.”
He concluded with a prayerful blessing: “May the Lord, through the prayers of your heavenly patron, multiply your spiritual and physical strength, bless and uphold you always in your ministry, and protect you from all evil. Many years, Your Beatitude!”
