His Beatitude Onuphry: At the inauguration, President spoke from the heart

Предстоятель Украинской Православной Церкви Блаженнейший Митрополит Киевский и всея Украины Онуфрий. Фото: YouTube-канал Информационно-просветительского отдела УПЦ

At the inauguration, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky spoke from the heart, said the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine in an interview with the UOC Information and Education Department.

“I liked in this ceremony that the President spoke from the heart. He spoke in a simple way. And I think that the words he spoke were not some kind of masquerade, but this was what fills his soul and what is his main desires in his cadence of the presidency. This is the end of the war, this is what will improve people’s living conditions in our state to unite the state and not to divide on any grounds. It is necessary to unite people, not disunite,” said the Primate.

According to him, the inauguration of Zelensky was the apotheosis, the culmination of the choice of the majority of Ukrainians, which they made at the last election of the President of Ukraine.

We want the President to treat us, our Church, like everyone, His Beatitude Onuphry shared his thoughts with journalists.

“So that we will be equal before the law so that there will be no friends and foes,” he added.

The Primate wished Zelensky God’s help in the implementation of his plans as he is sure that the new President of Ukraine has good plans.

“He has good intentions. May God help him to make them 100% come true!” the Archpastor emphasized.

On May 20, 2019, His Beatitude Onuphry took part in the inauguration of President Zelensky. The Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine announced that the newly elected President had taken office. The head of state, after receiving the certificate of the President of Ukraine and the symbols of power, a personal seal and a mace, made an inaugural speech.

Archimandrite Alipiy (Svetlichny) also shared the impressions that Zelensky’s speech produced on him. “It was evident that he was sincere. Not excited, as Poroshenko at his time, about the attributes of power but took them with restraint. During the speech, he allowed himself to switch to Russian and exchanged barbs with the deputy Liashko. Neither ingratiated himself nor showed favouritism. All this is positive, the clergyman wrote on Facebook. “It is impossible to draw conclusions yet. It can only be stated that the President is unusual, with a lively reaction, humane. What is he capable of? Most likely, of unexpected and experimental solutions. The religious theme does not bother him yet. Perhaps he underestimates her. Or maybe he chose tactics, unlike his “predecessors", not to touch something that does not bring the useful fruit of the unity of the people."

Read also

Thousands in Ghana Enter Canonical Orthodox Church After Year-Long Catechism

Major growth for Patriarchate of Alexandria as former independent group unites with Orthodox Church.

Antiochian Archdiocese to Celebrate Sunday of All Saints of Antioch With Patriarchate of Antioch for First Time

The feast, established in 2023, highlights the enduring witness and legacy of the Church of Antioch.

Church of Cyprus Defrocks Priest Amid Mounting Ecclesiastical Tensions

Fr. Dimos Serkelidis removed from clerical office following Synodal Court decision; controversy grows over internal Church governance

OCU Holds Service in Seized Cherkasy Church—But Nobody Came

Photos reveal nearly deserted worship in St. Andrew’s Church after its seizure from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC)

Romanian Orthodox Hierarchs Propose Five Women for Canonization

Canonization effort highlights upcoming Commemorative Year of Holy Women in 2026.

St. Olga of Alaska Officially Glorified in Her Hometown of Kwethluk

First North American female saint honored in historic vigil attended by hundreds of pilgrims and hierarchs.