On August 24, on the day of the 31st anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine, a prayer service for the Ukrainian State was held in the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Vinnytsia. The prayer service was performed by Metropolitan Symeon of Vinnytsia and Bar in the concelebration with the clergy of the Сathedral. The leaders of the region and the city, led by Serhiy Borzov, the head of Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration, Viacheslav Sokolovyi, the head of the Vinnytsia Regional Council, and Vinnytsia Mayor Serhiy Morgunov took part in the joint prayer.
Before the beginning of the prayer service, Metropolitan Symeon together with the representatives of local authorities placed lampadas in front of the stele installed in memory of the fallen defenders of Ukraine on the territory of the Cathedral . "Eternal Memory" was proclaimed to all the heroes who gave their lives for the Independence of Ukraine.
During the prayer service, which took place after the commemoration of the fallen soldiers, the prayers were offered for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, for the President and the government, and for all those who are called to take care of the country's development. Special prayer requests were offered for Ukrainian soldiers. All those present in church prayed that the Merciful Lord would grant them the courage and strength to faithfully defend the Motherland from the adversaries.
Metropolitan Symeon offered prayers for soldiers, for widows, for orphans, for the diasabled and infirm, and for all those who suffered from the war, which was unleashed against Ukraine by the Russian aggressor. The Archpastor 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 the 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 Church, people and government. Metropolitan Symeon congratulated all those present in the church on the holiday and wished the present leaders of the region and the city and, in their person, all the leaders of the Ukrainian State spiritual and physical strength, wisdom and God's help in solving all urgent problems. The Archpastor wished God's protection and blessings to the Ukrainian soldiers who defend our country. He also wished victory and a just peace to all Ukrainians.
After the solemn prayer, Metropolitan Symeon and the clergymen of the Cathedral consecrated the Memorial sign and the Memorial Board to the fallen Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and ATO soldiers that were recently transferred from the European Square and installed in Taras Shevchenko Square, next to the Cathedral.
