Metropolitan of Kyiv: The Dormition of the Theotokos teaches us not to fear death

A festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated on August 15, 2026, at the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

The service for the patronal feast of the Lavra’s principal cathedral was presided over by Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Concelebrating were Metropolitan Klyment of Simferopol and Crimea, Metropolitan Serhiy of Donetsk and Mariupol, Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva, Archbishop Lavrentiy of Luhansk and Starobilsk, Archbishop Volodymyr of Zhytomyr and Polissia, Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod, Bishop Fotiy of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, Bishop Antoniy of Chernihiv and Nizhyn, Bishop Avraamiy of Boryspil and Bishop Rafail of Makariv, together with members of the Lavra brotherhood and numerous clergy.

During the Little Entrance, the Metropolitan bestowed ecclesiastical distinctions upon members of the Lavra clergy.

Following the Gospel reading, the Primate delivered his sermon and offered a special prayer to the Lord for Ukraine, which continues to face severe trials and dangers.

Prayers were also offered for the soldiers defending Ukraine, the…