On July 12, 2024, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine held a memorial service for the victims of the Russian missile strike on Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital.
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine addressed the audience with a heartfelt message.
“Our enemy has long since crossed any moral boundaries. What military advantage is gained by attacking children’s hospitals? For Russia, the aim is clear: to intimidate us into submission, to terrorize Ukrainians, and to kill even seriously ill children in an attempt to break our spirit, as it fails to achieve real success on the battlefield,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine also urged everyone to unite in a collective effort towards achieving Ukrainian victory.
“Together, united, we are strong. I am confident that we will soon gather to inaugurate the renovated building. It is within our power. Therefore, united in our efforts, each of us will contribute in our own way to advance our common Ukrainian victory,” the Primate emphasized.
Metropolitan Epifaniy was joined in prayer by Priest Oleksiy Okremov, rector of the hospital church in honor of the Three Saints at Okhmatdyt; Archpriest Oleksiy Kharytonov, rector of the church of St. Paraskeva; Volodymyr Zhovnir, the general director of Okhmatdyt; as well as doctors, defenders of Ukraine, and the faithful.
At the end of the memorial event, the Requiem for the Fallen was performed by the chamber orchestra of the Kyiv Classic Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Herman Makarenko.
Source: pomisna
