Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy on July 2 at the Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Bobrytsia, Bucha District, marking his first visit as Primate to the parish since it joined the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 2022.
Concelebrating with clergy and faithful, Metropolitan Epifaniy offered prayers for Ukrainian soldiers, the suffering people of Ukraine, and for all those who have lost their lives during the ongoing war.
In a message shared on social media, the Primate condemned the continued attacks by Russia against civilian populations and infrastructure, describing the aggressor as seeking to break the Ukrainian people morally and spiritually and to erase the nation from the map of free Europe.
Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized that Christians are called to respond to such challenges with love, sacrifice, mercy, and service to others. He also stressed the importance of strengthening church unity, urging Orthodox believers to unite around the See of Kyiv within the local, autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
“Unity is our strength and the key to victory,” he stated, expressing confidence that with faith in God, the Ukrainian people will endure present trials and emerge stronger.
During the visit, Metropolitan Epifaniy also congratulated the parish rector, Archpriest Rostyslav Korchak, on his 50th birthday, thanking him for his leadership and for the decision to bring the parish into the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. He praised the priest as a devoted shepherd who serves the interests of his community and guides it toward salvation.
