Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv presided over the festive Divine Liturgy at the Intercession Cathedral in the city of Khmelnytskyi on the Sunday of the Paralytic, May 3, 2026. The service also marked the commemoration of St. Theodosius, Abbot of the Kyiv Caves, as well as the 30th anniversary of the episcopal ministry of Metropolitan Symeon of Khmelnytskyi and Shepetivka.
Concelebrating with the Primate of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine were numerous hierarchs from across the country, local and visiting clergy, defenders of the homeland and chaplains, as well as representatives of the Ukrainian authorities.
During the Small Entrance, His Beatitude awarded clergy with ecclesiastical distinctions: Protopresbyter Zinoviy Pylat was granted the right to wear a decorated cross, while priests Zakhariy Zaliznyi and Marian Koshil were elevated to the rank of protopresbyter.
At the conclusion of the service, on behalf of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and personally, he congratulated Metropolitan Symeon on the 30th anniversary of his episcopal ordination.
In recognition of his service, Metropolitan Symeon was awarded the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called—the highest distinction of the local Church—and was also presented with a pastoral staff, prosphora, and a bouquet of flowers.
Metropolitan Symeon expressed his gratitude to the Primate, the hierarchs, and the faithful for their prayers and presented the Metropolitan with an icon of St. John the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord.
Source: pomisna
