On September 2, 2024, Metropolitan Epiphany of Kyiv and All Ukraine led a prayer service on the occasion of the beginning of the new academic year at the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy.
Together with the Primate of the autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the academic church in honor of the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian, Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bylotserk, Vicar of the St. Michael Golden-Top Monastery, Archbishop Agapit of Vyshgorod, Bishop Ephraim of Vasylkiv, Vicar of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Bishop Avraamiy of Boryspil, rector KPBA archpriest Oleksandr Trofymlyuk and teachers and students of the academy.
After the service, a solemn meeting was held in the assembly hall of the academy, during which His Eminence addressed the audience with the consecration speech.
“We start the new academic year as usual with prayer, calling for the grace of the Holy Spirit on students and teachers. At the same time, it depends on each of us whether we cooperate with God or open our hearts to the action of His grace. Therefore, it is important for those who aspire to become a priest to constantly improve themselves comprehensively, primarily spiritually and intellectually. This is precisely the task of our spiritual educational institutions – to contribute and guide in such improvement as best as possible,” said Metropolitan Epiphany.
“Now, during the Russian invasion, we constantly see the need for chaplains and active and educated priests who will build up the communities of our Local Church and spiritually support the defenders of the Motherland. We must always remember at what cost our future is fought for. And when training seems difficult to you, remember our soldiers, remember how difficult it is for them to protect all of us now in the trenches. You are our future, the future of the Ukrainian Church. So we ask the Lord for wisdom for all of you, so that you grow spiritually, learn and develop for the good of the Church and our people. May God’s blessing be upon all of you,” said the Primate addressing the students.
