Metropolitan Epifaniy: Ukrainians have achieved an independent State and an Autocephalous Church

Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine arrived in the Lviv region on August 17, 2026, for a primatial visit.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was welcomed by Metropolitan Dymytriy of Lviv and Sokal and clergy of the Busk Deanery.

At the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in the village of Artyshchiv, Metropolitan Epifaniy celebrated an Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos and blessed a sculptural representation of Jesus Christ installed in the parish courtyard.

Joining him in prayer were Metropolitan Dymytriy of Lviv and Sokal, Archbishop Pavlo of Vinnytsia and Bar, Bishop Arseniy of Bohuslav, Bishop Rafail of Makariv, as well as numerous clergy and faithful.

Following the service, Metropolitan Epifaniy presented Church awards to the parish benefactor and other supporters before addressing those gathered.

The Metropolitan called on the faithful to give thanks to God for His assistance to the Ukrainian people amid their difficult trials and to place their hope in the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos. He stressed the importance of unity, prayer and the dedicated work of every individual, saying that common efforts enable Ukrainians to overcome…