Metr. Nicholas Sends Patronal Feast Greetings to Metr. Onuphry

NEW YORK — Metr. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), extended greetings to His Beatitude Metr. Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine on the feast day of his heavenly patron, Venerable Onuphry the Great, last week. The message was reported by the Information and Educational Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

In his congratulatory message, Metr. Nicholas reflected on the monastic vocation of Metr. Onuphry, noting that the primate of the UOC received the monastic tonsure with the name of Venerable Onuphry the Great at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, near the relics of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh. He praised Metr. Onuphry's spiritual life and pastoral ministry, saying that he had multiplied his spiritual gifts for the glory of God and for the salvation of the faithful entrusted to his care.

"On this joyful day, allow the episcopate, clergy, monastics, and flock to wish you with love and respect good health, cheerfulness of spirit, peace and prosperity, God's all-strengthening help in your holy labors, and many years of blessed and comforting service!" Metr. Nicholas wrote.

Concluding his message, the First Hierarch of ROCOR assured Metr. Onuphry of his brotherly love and requested his holy prayers.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Tikhon expressed support for Metr. Onuphry after damage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.