On November 3, 2023, on the feast of the renewal of the Church of the Great Martyr George in Lydda and on the occasion of the birthday of Metropolitan Symeon of Vinnytsia and Bar, a festive Divine Liturgy was held at the Transfiguration Cathedral of Vinnytsia, led by Metropolitan Symeon. His Eminence was concelebrated by Metropolitan Roman of Vinnytsia and Bratslav, Archbishop Tikhon of Ternopil and Buchach, Bishop Pavlo of Khmelnytsky and Kamianets-Podilsky, Bishop Anthony of Chernihiv and Nizhyn, clergy of the Vinnytsia and Bar Diocese, and guests in the sacred dignity.
During the service, requests and prayers were offered for Ukrainian soldiers and Ukraine's victory over the russian aggressor.
At the end of the Liturgy, a thanksgiving prayer service was held. Then a greeting to Metropolitan Symeon from the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, was read out. Metropolitan Roman of Vinnytsia and Bratslav expressed warm wishes to Metropolitan Symeon on behalf of the bishops who participated in the service.
Representatives of the clergy, monastics and faithful also congratulated their Metropolitan. In particular, on behalf of the clergy, Metropolitan Symeon was greeted by the Dean of the Vinnytsia district, military chaplain Archimandrite Dorotheus (Markevych). Abbess Yelikonyda (Voyevoda) of the Annunciation Convent addressed the Archpastor with a welcoming speech. The hierarchical choir, led by conductor Oleksandr Kholiava, sang a solemn chant in honor of the Ruling Bishop.
Metropolitan Symeon thanked the bishops, clergy and parishioners of the Cathedral for their greetings and warm wishes and asked for further prayerful support in the exercise of his archpastoral ministry.
On this day, Metropolitan Symeon received and continues to receive congratulations from many hierarchs, priests, government officials, the public, doctors, educators, and military personnel.
Press service of the Vinnytsia-Bar Diocese of the UOC (OCU)
