On the Sunday of the Holy Fathers, December 15, 2024, Metropolitan Symeon of Vinnytsia and Bar celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Protection of the Holy Theotokos in the village of Pyliava, Vinnytsia district. His Eminence was concelebrated by the parish rector, Archpriest Roman Dovzhenko, and clergy of the Vinnytsia District Deanery and the Transfiguration Cathedral of Vinnytsia.
During the Liturgy, prayers were offered for the soldiers who are defending Ukraine. Metropolitan Simeon said a prayer for the Ukrainian state and the establishment of a just peace in our country. After the Liturgy, a thanksgiving prayer service was held with a prayer for the Church and the faithful Ukrainian people on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the Unification Council, at which the three branches of Ukrainian Orthodoxy united into a single local Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
At the end of his archpastoral visit, Metropolitan Symeon addressed the congregation with a speech in which he congratulated everyone on the anniversary of the Unification Council, spoke about the Holy Forefathers whom the Church honors on this day and about the spiritual preparation for the approaching feast of the Nativity of Christ. The Archpastor also warmly congratulated the Rector of the church, Archpriest Roman Dovzhenko, on his 50th birthday, which he celebrated on this day, and with the blessing of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, presented the Order of Archangel Michael, II degree, to the jubilee.
Press service of the Diocese of Vinnytsia and Bar of the UOC (OCU)
