On All Saints’ Sunday, June 19, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine paid an archpastoral visit to Ternopil. In the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, the Primate of the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church led the solemn Divine Liturgy and delivered a sermon.
This was reported by the press service of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
He recalled that, in addition to the general occasion of honoring all the saints, today in the Ternopil church, there is also another special occasion. According to the decision of the OCU Synod on All Saints’ Sunday, it was appointed to honor the Ternopil Icon of the Mother of God, long glorified by miracles and signs from the Lord.
“After all, among all the saints, the first place rightfully belongs to the Mother of God. And the many miracles and signs that the Lord performs through her venerated icons, through her prayers and intercession are one of the many proofs that the Virgin Mary is truly ‘more honorable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim,’” said the head of the OCU.
The bishop noted that the history of the veneration of the Ternopil icon of the Mother of God reminds us of the two world wars that swept across this land, as well as throughout Ukraine in the last century. Because in this temple this miraculous icon was transferred during the first war, and during the second the Mother of God protected it from destruction.
“So even now, when our people are once again forced to defend their homeland with weapons in arms from invaders and murderers, we, with special feelings before this miraculous image, turn to the Blessed Virgin and ask to protect and cover with an omophorion all civilians suffering from foreign invasion. We ask for gracious protection for our courageous soldiers-defenders, thanks to whose feat and sacrifice we can pray and work in relative peace and tranquility,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
“We ask for a speedy healing for the wounded. We ask for relief from the shackles of captivity and a speedy release from occupation for those over whom the enemy is temporarily in power. We ask for a speedy victory over evil and untruth for Ukraine and a lasting just peace. Holy Mother of God, save and have mercy on all who turn to Your intercession! Amen,” he concluded.
