Hierodeacon of Ukrainian Monastery Killed Defending Ukraine

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

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 a UOC deacon died after saving a child from drowning in Finland.