In Berlin, UOC bishop celebrates Liturgy and meets with Ukrainian refugees
Liturgy at the UOC parish in Berlin. Photo: Poltava Eparchy
Archbishop Beniamin, Vice-Rector of the Poltava Missionary Theological Seminary, arrived in Berlin on December 7. According to the press service of the Poltava Eparchy, on that day, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy with explanations at the Church of All Saints in the city.
“During the clarifications of important parts of the service, the archbishop paused to explain the historical and theological context of the central Sacrament of the Orthodox Church – the Eucharist. The Divine Liturgy, in all its intricacies, is especially important both for the salvation of every individual and for preserving Christian culture and the Orthodox Ukrainian identity of those temporarily outside their homeland,” the statement reads.
After the service, Archbishop Beniamin helped the faithful understand challenging passages of the Gospel texts. In the evening, at the Church of Archangel Michael, the UOC hierarch met with Orthodox youth. The participants of the meeting discussed the peculiarities of life in Western Europe.
Archbishop Beniamin visited Germany to provide pastoral and missionary support to Orthodox believers and students – refugees and displaced persons from Ukraine. His visit was conducted with the blessing of the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna, and the Chairman of the Synodal Department of Religious Education, Catechesis, and Missionary Work, Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Myrhorod.
Earlier, the DECR UOC reported that Bishop Beniamin presided over the feast day celebrations at the UOC parish in Chemnitz.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.