Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine presided over a solemn Divine Liturgy on July 5, the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, at the Cathedral of St. Paraskeva of Serbia in Chernivtsi, during which Archbishop Yevheniy (Hakman), Metropolitan of Bukovina and Dalmatia, was officially glorified among the saints of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
The historic service gathered numerous hierarchs of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, including Metropolitan Makariy of Lviv, Metropolitan Symeon of Khmelnytskyi and Shepetivka, Metropolitan Dymytriy of Lviv and Sokal, Metropolitan Oleksandr of Pereiaslav and Vyshneve, Metropolitan Ilarion of Rivne and Ostroh, Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva, and many other bishops, together with local and visiting clergy.
Following the Gospel reading, Metropolitan Epiphaniy delivered a primatial homily and offered a special prayer for Ukraine as the nation continues to endure the hardships and dangers brought by war.
Throughout the Divine Liturgy, prayers were offered for the Ukrainian armed forces, the country’s authorities and people, as well as for the repose of the souls of all defenders of Ukraine and civilians who have lost their lives during the conflict.
Addressing the faithful after the service, Metropolitan Epiphaniy described the canonization of Metropolitan Yevheniy Hakman as a historic event for the Church and the people of Bukovina.
He congratulated the local Orthodox community on the glorification of the distinguished archpastor, whose life and ministry left a lasting mark on the spiritual and cultural development of the region. The Primate also presented ecclesiastical awards to clergy and benefactors of the Diocese of Chernivtsi and Bukovina in recognition of their service to the Church.
In response, Bishop Feognost of Chernivtsi and Bukovina expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Epiphaniy and the assembled hierarchs, clergy, and faithful for their participation in the celebrations.
The festive liturgy concluded with the traditional proclamation of Many Years, marking the end of a significant day in the life of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the faithful of Bukovina.
