Metr. Onuphry Marks 55 Years Since Monastic Tonsure
Metr. Onuphry's 55 years in monastic life highlight a legacy of humility, leadership, and steadfast faith.
KYIV — March 18, 2026, marked the 55th anniversary of the monastic tonsure of Metr. Onuphry, a significant milestone in the life of the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). In 1971, as a young novice at the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, Orest Berezovsky took monastic vows, receiving the name Onuphry in honor of St. Onuphrius the Great.
The tonsure was performed by Archimandrite Barnabas (Kedrov) with the blessing of senior Church leaders, including Metr. Pimen. Over the years, Metr. Onuphry faithfully served in key monastery roles, including as abbot of the Pochaiv Lavra, before being elected Bishop of Chernivtsi and Bukovina in 1990. He later became known for his steadfast defense of canonical Orthodoxy during ecclesiastical challenges in the early 1990s.
Elected Primate in 2014, Metr. Onuphry continues to emphasize humility and monastic devotion, frequently reminding the faithful that he remains above all a monk. Even today, he actively participates in monastic life, including tonsuring new monks at the Kiev Caves Lavra.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Onuphry called for fidelity to the pure Orthodox faith.
