On November 11, 2023, at the invitation of the Rector, Archpriest Dymitrii Pasichnyk, Metropolitan Symeon of Vinnytsia and Bar visited the Church of the Ascension in the village of Stanislavchyk, Zhmerynka district.
At the entrance to the church, Metropolitan Symeon was greeted by Sunday school children who prepared a greeting for the Archpastor with poems and spiritual songs. The children were joined by a church choir from Archpriest Demetrius' second parish in the village of Movchany, who congratulated Metropolitan Symeon with singing of "Many Years".
Immediately after the meeting, the Divine Liturgy began, during which His Eminence was concelebrated by representatives of the clergy from the Vinnytsia-Bar, Vinnytsia-Tulchyn, Vinnytsia-Bratslav and Bila Tserkva dioceses.
After the Gospel reading, Metropolitan Symeon said a prayer for Ukraine and the victory of the Ukrainian army. Prayers were also offered for the repose of the souls of the fallen defenders of the Motherland and civilians who died during the war.
After the Liturgy, Metropolitan Symeon addressed the clergy and parishioners with a sermon. The Archpastor paid considerable attention to the spiritual education of the younger generation and the growth of adult parishioners in faith. His Eminence noted that the religious community of Stanislavchyk can be an example for other communities in building parish life, spiritual education and charity. The parish priest plays an important role in this. Therefore, Metropolitan Symeon thanked Archpriest Dymytrii Pasichnyk, who is not limited to his parish work, but also engages in spiritual education throughout the deanery and addresses a wide range of people via the Internet. With the blessing of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Metropolitan Symeon presented Archpriest Dymytriy Pasichnyk with the medal "For Sacrifice and Love for Ukraine".
Addressing the parishioners, Metropolitan Symeon thanked them for the conscious choice they made by supporting the Rector of their church and joining the one canonical local Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The Archpastor presented blessed Diplomas to the active parishioners and wished all those present God's help in their further work for the salvation of their souls and help to their neighbors.
Metropolitan Symeon thanked the local church choir for their beautiful singing and presented flowers to each of the members of the choir,
The Archpastor also addressed the head of the Stanislavchyk territorial community, Volodymyr Perepechai, who attended the service, and thanked the head of the local authorities for assisting the local clergy and religious communities in their spiritual and educational activities. His Eminence presented Volodymyr Perepechai with an icon of the Mother of God with wishes of God's blessing and help in his good deeds.
The Rector of the church, Archpriest Dymytriy Pasichnyk, thanked Metropolitan Simeon for the archpastoral visit and joint prayer and presented the Archpastor with a painting of the Church of the Ascension in Stanislavchyk village as a memento of today's first Hierarchical service, which was held in the ancient church for the first time since the local religious community joined the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
After the celebrations in the church, Metropolitan Symeon, together with the head of the local community and the clergy who participated in the service, honored the memory of the fallen defenders of Ukraine by laying flowers to the memorial plaque in the center of Stanislavchyk village.
Press service of the Diocese of Vinnytsia and Bar of the UOC (OCU)
