On November 24, 2024, the feast day of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr and Saint Mercury of Chernihiv, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Catherine Cathedral in Chernihiv.
Concelebrating with the Primate of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine were Metropolitan Simeon of Vinnytsia and Barsky, Metropolitan Illarion of Rivne and Ostroh, Metropolitan Simeon of Dnipro and Sicheslav, Archbishop Lavrentiy of Luhansk and Starobilsk, Archbishop Matthew of Volodymyr and Novovolynsk, Archbishop Pavlo of Khmelnytsky and Shepetivka, Bishop Antoniy of Chernihiv and Nizhyn, Bishop Yefrem of Vasylkiv, Bishop Avraamiy of Boryspil, as well as local and invited clergy.
During the Liturgy, Archpriest Volodymyr Lyashynsky was awarded the right to wear a mitre in recognition of his dedicated service to the Church.
In attendance at the service were chaplains, soldiers defending the homeland, local government representatives, and faithful parishioners.
After the reading of the Gospel, the Metropolitan delivered a pastoral sermon and offered a special prayer to the Lord for the safety of Ukraine in these dangerous times.
The service also included prayers for the soldiers defending Ukraine, the authorities, and the nation, as well as for the repose of the souls of all fallen defenders and peaceful residents who have perished during the war.
At the conclusion of the solemn service, a prayer was held in honor of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr and Saint Mercury of Chernihiv, whose holy relics are enshrined in the cathedral.
Additionally, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine presented high ecclesiastical awards to military personnel and benefactors of the diocese.
On behalf of the community, Bishop Antoniy of Chernihiv expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Epifaniy for his pastoral visit and heartfelt prayers.
The service concluded with a festive “Many Years” prayer.
Source: pomisna
