Hierodeacon of Ukrainian Monastery Killed in War

Editor's note: This story has been updated with corrections in regard to the nature of Hierodeacon Niphont's service in the Ukrainian military, which was by force.

SVITIAZ, UKRAINE — The Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has announced the death of Hierodeacon Niphont (Shendapin), a monk of the Ss. Peter and Paul Monastery in Svitiaz, who was killed while serving in the war in Ukraine.

This comes amidst the continual impressment of UOC clergy into the Ukrainian armed forces, a violation of international law and the canons of the Church.

The announcement was published by the eparchy with expressions of grief from Metr. Volodymyr, the clergy, and the faithful. According to the statement, Fr. Niphont was a resident of the Petropavlivsky Monastery before his military service and lost his life during the ongoing conflict.

In its message, the diocese extended condolences to the monastery's abbot and brotherhood, as well as to the hierodeacon's family, relatives, and fellow servicemen. The statement called upon Orthodox Christians to remember him in prayer, asking the Lord to grant rest to his soul.

The eparchy concluded its announcement with the prayer, “May the Lord settle him in a bright place, where there is no pain or sorrow, but life unending.” It also offered the traditional Orthodox farewell, “The Kingdom of Heaven and memory eternal!”

Previously, the UOJ reported that representatives of Ukraine's Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCC) detained Fr. Oleksandr Honcharuk, a priest of the Dormition Zymne Monastery of the UOC.