On February 10, 2024, a solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Church of the Prophet Elijah in the village of Slobidka-Kulchiyevetska, Kamianets-Podilskyi district, Khmelnytskyi region, led by Metropolitan Symeon of Vinnytsia and Bar, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Simeon of Kyiv and All Ukraine. His Eminence was concelebrated by Archbishop Herman of Kamianets-Podilskyi and Nova Ushytsia, Archbishop Pavlo of Khmelnytskyi and Shepetivka, Bishop Mark of Dunayivtsi, Bishop Anthony of Chernihiv and Nizhyn, and the clergy of the Kamianets-Podilskyi Diocese.
Before the Liturgy began, Archbishop Herman (Semanchuk) of Kamianets-Podilskyi and Novoushytskyi was officially introduced as the diocesan hierarch of the newly established Kamianets-Podilskyi Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Metropolitan Symeon read out the decision of the Holy Synod of February 2, 2024, and the corresponding Decree of His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine. On behalf of the Primate of the OCU, the General Secretary of the Holy Synod congratulated Archbishop Herman on his appointment and wished him God's help in his archpastoral work, wisdom, prudence and perseverance.
During the Liturgy, which began immediately after the presentation of the new hierarch, prayers were offered for victory and a just peace for Ukraine. After the Eucharistic Canon, Archbishop Herman ordained Vasyl Klevchuk as a deacon.
After the Liturgy, Archbishop Herman addressed the assembled archpastors, clergy and faithful with gratitude for their support, prayers and good wishes. His Eminence, through Metropolitan Symeon, conveyed words of gratitude for the trust of His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine and the Holy Synod and asked for prayers for himself from his brother bishops, clergy and all the flock entrusted to him, and called for joint work in the development of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Press service of the Diocese of Vinnytsia and Bar of the UOC (OCU)
