Metropolitan Epifaniy prays for Ukraine during celebrations at Rivne Cathedral

Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Protection Cathedral in Rivne on Thursday, October 1, 2026, marking the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos and the 25th anniversary of the cathedral’s consecration.

During his visit, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine also blessed the cathedral’s wall paintings.

Metropolitan Epifaniy concelebrated with Metropolitan Makariy of Lviv, Metropolitan Nestor of Ternopil and Kremenets, Metropolitan Oleksandr of Pereiaslav and Vyshneve, Metropolitan Ilarion of Rivne and Ostroh, and Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva.

Also participating were Archbishop Lavrentiy of Luhansk and Starobilsk, Bishop Borys of Kherson and Kakhovka, Bishop Paisiy of Zhytomyr and Ovruch, Bishop Havryil of Rivne and Sarny, Bishop Antoniy of Chernihiv and Nizhyn, Bishop Onufriy of Dubno, and numerous clergy.

Special prayers for Ukraine and victims of the war Following the Gospel reading, Metropolitan Epifaniy delivered a sermon and offered a special prayer for Ukraine, which continues to face severe trials and dangers amid the ongoing war.

During the Divine Liturgy, prayers were offered…