Epiphany finds words of the anthem "to give soul for freedom" still true

Epiphany, head of the OCU, at the opening of the monument to poet Pavel Chubinsky. Photo: OCU page on Facebook

The phrase from the Ukrainian anthem "we will put our soul and body for our freedom" is still relevant because even today the struggle for independent Ukraine and autocephalous Ukrainian Church continues, said the head of the OCU Epiphany Dumenko at the opening of the monument to the poet and public figure Pavlo Chubinsky, which was held at the Knyshevsky memorial complex in Boryspil on June 26, 2020.

According to the press service of the OCU, during the event Epiphany noted that the words written by Pavel Chubinsky are relevant nowadays "because we say in them that we will put our soul and body for our freedom”.

"Unfortunately, so far, after many decades, many conscious Ukrainians must give their lives, protecting our territorial integrity, statehood and freedom. Therefore, paying tribute to our famous poet, we should remember all those who have been fighting for our independent Ukrainian state and autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church," says the message of the OCU.

As reported earlier, the "Bishops' Council" of the UOC-KP condemned the activities of Epiphany and the "Holy Synod" of the OCU "for an attempt to destroy the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate, which gave birth to both the Primate, Metropolitan Epiphany, and the entire episcopate of the OCU, without whom neither the OCU nor the Tomos of the so-called autocephaly could have been possible”.

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.