On the occasion of the feast dedicated to the Synaxis of the Saints of Kyiv, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine shared a heartfelt message on social media, highlighting the deep spiritual roots of the Ukrainian Church and the enduring strength of the nation in times of trial.
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine wrote: “Today, the parish community of the Church of the Synaxis of Kyiv Saints is celebrating its patronal feast. This warm and radiant church is located in the village of Romankiv, Obukhiv district, in the Kyiv region. As is tradition, every year on this day we gather with the clergy of our Church to celebrate a festive Divine Liturgy, offering prayers to the holy ones who once walked these same lands and who now intercede for us before the Throne of the Almighty.”
Reflecting on the significance of the feast, Metropolitan Epifaniy reminded the faithful of the profound legacy of holiness in Kyiv. The feast follows the commemoration of Saint Volodymyr the Great and the 1037th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus, as well as Ukrainian Statehood Day, marked on July 15.
“Today, we remember all the saints — martyrs, venerable fathers, hierarchs, and miracle-workers — who shone forth from our land. They bore witness to Christ on the hills of the Dnipro, where the Apostle Andrew the First-Called once prophesied: ‘On these hills, the grace of God shall shine; a great city will rise, and many churches will be built here by God.’”
He emphasized that this prophecy came true in the city of Kyiv, a place filled with sacred sites, churches, and holy men and women who shaped the thousand-year history of Christianity in Ukraine. Among them is the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a unique shrine that holds the incorrupt relics of over a hundred saints and remains a powerful symbol of Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
“We honor them and turn to them in prayer, especially now in this time of great trial, when the enemy has invaded our peaceful common home and seeks to enslave and destroy us. But we know the Lord hears our prayers. If not for His grace and help, the enemy’s wicked plans to conquer us in ‘three days’ would have succeeded.”
The Metropolitan underlined that God’s invisible presence among the people of Ukraine continues to strengthen both their spiritual struggle and their national fight for freedom and dignity.
“We believe that we will inevitably win. As Scripture says, ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31). Truth — like light — cannot be hidden. God will create conditions that no one can now foresee, but He will not allow evil to triumph. God is never put to shame. He is always on the side of truth. And truth is not on the side of the aggressor — truth is with Ukraine.”
Metropolitan Epifaniy concluded his message with a prayer for courage and endurance: “Let us pray that the Lord grant us all that we need for spiritual strength, courage, and perseverance in the struggle against evil. May He guide and protect us on this thorny path of truth we are walking. The path is hard — but with God, we will overcome it. Glory to Jesus Christ!”
