His Beatitude Onuphry officiates the rite of great blessing of water
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC
On January 19, 2025, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the solemn Divine Liturgy at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, according to the Information and Education Department of the UOC.
The service was held in the church dedicated to the Venerable Agapitus of the Caves. His Beatitude was joined by Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka, Bishop Lavr of Irpin, Bishop Mark of Borodianka, visiting clergy, and the monastery’s priests.
After the festive reading of the Gospel, His Beatitude Onuphry delivered a sermon, reminding the faithful of the significance of Baptism and the importance of spiritual purification.
During the Liturgy, prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, assistance to those in need, mercy for the Ukrainian people, healing for the sick, the release of captives, and blessings for those who have lost their homes.
Following the prayer behind the ambo, His Beatitude led the rite of the Great Blessing of Water, sprinkled the faithful with holy water, and greeted the congregation on the Feast of Theophany.
As previously reported by the UOJ, His Beatitude has spoken about the power of holy water and the importance of repentance for the faithful.
Read also
Abp. Alexei: How to Pray as a Family
"If a family prays together," His Eminence said, "the household becomes a little tower in that vineyard."
Pat. Bartholomew Honors U.S. Traditions, Greek Heritage in Washington Visit
Bartholomew lays wreath at Arlington, meets with U.S. leaders, and blesses faithful in Virginia.
Police Return Relics of St. Raphael to St. Vladimir's Seminary
Yonkers officers, K9 unit honored with blessing and thanksgiving at the seminary.
Conference to Celebrate 100 Years of ROCOR in Germany
The event will take place from May 6-8, 2026 at the historic Blutenburg Castle near St. Job of Pochaev Monastery near Munich.
Patriarch of Alexandria Baptizes 100 in Madagascar
During his homily, Theodore II called baptism “the new birth of man."
Patriarch of Jerusalem Meets with President of Turkey
Theophilos III met with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Constantinople. The following day, back in Jerusalem, Theophilos granted an audience to (among others) Abp. Nathanael of the Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem.