> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://uoj.news/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Father Co-Celebrates Soldier Son’s Funeral Service
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86527-father-co-celebrates-soldier-sons-funeral-service/
- Published: 2026-02-23T09:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:11:35.000Z
- Description: A Kyiv deacon buried his son, an AFU soldier, in a solemn service at Iona Monastery.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Funeral service, War in Ukraine

**KYIV, UKRAINE —** On February 19, 2026, the Holy Trinity Iona Monastery in Kyiv hosted [the funeral](https://t.me/orthodoxvoice%5Fua/12070?single) of George, a soldier in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and son of Hierodeacon Mitrofan. Abp. Iona of Obukhiv led the service, with the father serving as co-celebrant.

In a social media statement, Abp. Iona — a hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church — reflected on the tragedy, writing, “It’s scary when a father buries his son . . . God, stop the war!” He noted that George served in the Azov unit and highlighted that many Orthodox Ukrainians are defending the country.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/02/86527-father-co-celebrates-soldier-sons-funeral-service-image-93ab1fc70b34.jpg)On this topicAthonite Archimandrite Shares Late Abp. Anastasios’ Concerns Over Ukrainian Church Issue](https://uoj.news/news/86502-athonite-archimandrite-shares-late-abp-anastasios-concerns-over-ukrainian-church-issue/)

The Archbishop called on the faithful to pray for the fallen soldier and acknowledged that the circumstances of his service might draw criticism from propagandists, emphasizing that George’s dedication and sacrifice remain a fact.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/84760-afu-medic-to-zelensky-you-took-citizenship-from-his-beatitude-take-mine-too/) that an AFU medic publicly stated to Zelensky: "You took citizenship from from His Beatitude \[Onuphy\]. Take mine, too."