On August 24, 2024, on the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine's Independence, a prayer service for the Ukrainian state was held at the Transfiguration Cathedral in Vinnytsia. Metropolitan Symeon of Vinnytsia and Bar concelebrated the prayer service with the cathedral clergy. The joint prayer was attended by the leaders of the region and the city, led by First Deputy Head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration Natalia Zabolotna, Head of the Vinnytsia Regional Council Vyacheslav Sokolovyi, and Vinnytsia Mayor Serhiy Morgunov.
During the prayer service, prayers were offered for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, for the President and the government, and for all those who are called to care for the country's development. Special prayer requests were offered for Ukrainian soldiers, so that the Lord would grant them courage and strength to defend their Motherland from enemies.
The prayer offered by Metropolitan Symeon included pleas for soldiers, widows, orphans, the maimed and infirm, and all those who suffered from the war unleashed against Ukraine by the Russian aggressor. Metropolitan Symeon also prayed that the All-Merciful Lord would bless Ukraine, the President, the government and the army and the entire Ukrainian people with spiritual and earthly blessings and grant all Ukrainians a spirit of love for the one and indivisible Mother Ukraine and for each other.
In the end, the choir sang the spiritual anthem of Ukraine "God the Great One" and the deacon proclaimed "Many Years" to the Ukrainian state, government, army and people. Metropolitan Simeon congratulated all those present in the church on the holiday. He wished God's protection and blessings to the Ukrainian soldiers who are defending our country. Metropolitan Symeon wished all Ukrainians victory and a just peace.
After the prayer service, flowers were laid at the memorial to the Heavenly Hundred and the interactive stele in memory of the Heroes of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Press service of the Diocese of Vinnytsia and Bar of the UOC (OCU)
