Metropolitan Epifaniy celebrates a prayer service in one of Rus' oldest churches

This was reported by the press service of the OCU.

The Transfiguration Cathedral is one of the oldest churches of Rus. It is located in the historical environment of Chernihiv, in the center of the former detinets (an ancient Rus' city-fort — ed.). The construction of the cathedral began around 1033-1034 by order of Mstyslav Volodymyrovych, the first Chernihiv prince known in the chronicles. For the first time, chronicles mention the “Church of the Holy Savior” in 1036.

The head of the diocese, Bishop Anthony, bishops and clergy, defenders of the Homeland, believers, as well as the head of the CRMA (Chernihiv Regional Military Administration), Viacheslav Chaus and the director general of the National Reserve “Chernihiv Ancient” Nataliia Rebrova, prayed together with the Primate of the OCU.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine also offered prayers for the defenders of the Homeland. At the end of the prayer service, he addressed the faithful with a First Holy Communion address.

“Today, we thank God for having graced us with the opportunity to offer prayers in this ancient Transfiguration Cathedral. As we can see, the Lord is helping and assisting us to establish our recognized local Ukrainian Orthodox Church. All historical monuments, cathedrals, monasteries, and lavras must belong to the local Ukrainian Church, for this is the heritage of our Ukrainian people, the heritage of our Ukrainian history.

We pray and beg the Lord for victory and believe that soon He will grant us this great gift,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.

In addition, the Primate expressed gratitude to the diocesan administrator, Bishop Anthony, the Head of the RMA, the Director General of the National Reserve, and the clergy for the development and establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the God-blessed Chernihiv land.

At the end of the visit, Metropolitan Epifaniy visited the Trinity Monastery, where the relics of the Chernihiv saints are reposed.

On November 24, 2024, on the day of commemoration of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr and Saint Mercury of Chernihiv, Metropolitan Epifaniy led the Liturgy at St. Catherine's Cathedral in Chernihiv.

During the service, prayer requests were made for the soldiers defending Ukraine, for the government and our people, and for the repose of the souls of all the fallen defenders of the Homeland and civilians who died during the war.

At the end, a prayer service was held for Saint Catherine the Great Martyr and Saint Mercury of Chernihiv, hegumen of Bryhyn, whose relics are kept in the cathedral.

In addition, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine honored the military personnel and benefactors of the diocese with high church awards.