On February 26, 2023, Metropolitan Epifaniy led the Divine Liturgy at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, during which Archimandrite Ephraim (Khomyak) was ordained as Bishop of Vasylkiv.
During the service, prayer requests were made for the soldiers who defend Ukraine, for the government and our people, and for the peace of mind of all the fallen defenders of the motherland and civilians, the OCU website reports.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Epifaniy addressed the new Bishop Ephraim with a guiding word and presented him with the rod of bishops.
"From now on, you belong to the hierarchy of the local Church of Ukraine. Therefore, always remember your promise of obedience to the primate and the Council of Bishops so that together with them, you may work with dignity and fruitfulness in the field of Christ in every place where you will be entrusted... You accept the vocation to the episcopal ministry at a time of severe war trials that the Ukrainian people are experiencing. We believe that with God's help, Ukraine will defeat the aggressor, and a just peace will be established. However, the wounds inflicted on our brothers and sisters will have to be treated for many more years. It will also be your task to give comfort, comfort, and hope to those who have suffered from the violence of the evil Russian empire...
No bishop can perform his ministry with dignity without having support in faith, in prayer, and in the hope of God. The symbol of this support is the archpastoral rod, which is presented to you. Therefore, accept it, and from the grace, you have received, bless the faithful who prayed for you today during your ordination," Metropolitan Epifaniy said.
Biographical information:
Bishop Ephraim of Vasylkiv (in the world – Valentin Bogdanovich Khomyak), was born on February 3, 1990, in the village of Verben, Demidovsky district, Rivne region, in a working-class family. During 1996-2007, he studied at Verbeny Secondary School of I-III stages.
In 2007, he entered the Rivne Theological Seminary and the International University of Economics and humanities, named after Demyanchuk, to study at the Faculty of Mass Communication and information technologies (in absentia). Since September 2009, he has been enrolled in the 3rd year of the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy.
In 2011, he graduated from the University and received a Bachelor's degree in journalism in the press and news agencies. In the same year, he entered the master's program of the KOTA.
On August 31, 2011, with the blessing of Patriarch Filaret, he was enrolled as a novice at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv.
On December 31, 2011, he received a cassock blessing from the monastery's abbot, Bishop Agapit (Humeniuk).
On March 15, 2012, The Vicar of the monastery, Bishop Agapit of Vyshgorod, was tonsured a monk with the name Ephraim (in honor of the Holy Hieromartyr Ephraim, Bishop of Chersonesos, commemorated on March 20).
March 18, 2012, on the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, at the Divine Liturgy in St. Michael's Cathedral of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, the Vicar of the monastery, Bishop Agapit (Humenyuk) of Vyshgorod, ordained him as hierodeacon.
On March 18, 2012, he was appointed head of the Chancellery of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery.
On August 19, 2012, on the 11th Sunday after Pentecost on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bishop Agapit (Humenyuk), the Vicar of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, ordained him as hieromonk.
On August 23, 2012, he successfully passed the entrance exams and was enrolled in the KOTA postgraduate program.
In October 2012, he was appointed acting sacristy of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv.
On April 13, 2015, on the occasion of holy Easter Day, Patriarch Filaret was awarded the pectoral cross at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral.
On April 14, 2019, on Palm Sunday, during a divine service in St. Michael's golden-domed cathedral, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy elevated him to the rank of Abbot.
On March 21, 2021, in St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy conferred on him a cross with ornaments.
On June 20, 2021, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy elevated him to the rank of Archimandrite in St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral.
On the decision of the Holy Synod of February 02, 2023 (Resolution No. 42), he was elected bishop of Vasylkiv, Vicar of the Diocese of Kyiv.
On February 25, 2023, after the All-Night vigil in St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, the rite of naming Archimandrite Ephraim as bishop of Vasilkovsky was performed.
On February 26, 2023, on the Sunday of Forgiveness in St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine and the synaxis of hierarchs of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine ordained him a bishop.