Metropolitan Epiphany consecrated the church in Cherkasy and presented awards to medics, volunteers and soldiers

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy, visited Cherkasy today. Here, he consecrated a new temple in honor of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.

During the meeting with the residents of Cherkasy, Metropolitan Epifaniy presented awards from the Cherkasy Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The awards of Saint Luke the Surgeon were given to the military personnel, their families (posthumously), as well as the regional governor Igor Taburtsya, the mayor Anatoliy Bondarenko, the head of the regional council Anatoliy Pidhornyy, parliamentarians, and military doctors.

"We thank the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for the 'Cross of Freedom'; this is an award for our entire community, a resilient and steadfast one," emphasized the Chief of the Regional Military Administration. "For over a year of full-scale warfare, every morning we traditionally thank our Armed Forces and God for the new day. The Ukrainian Church makes its contribution to our country's victory, supporting and consoling those in need and fostering the spiritual strength of our soldiers. Decisive actions and combined efforts help us resist the enemy. We are invincible when united! With faith and strength, God and Ukraine are with us!"

His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine also took part in events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the episcopal ordination (consecration to the rank of bishop) of Saint Luke the Surgeon (Voino-Yasenetsky), a doctor of medical sciences, a miracle-working healer, and a public figure.

"The struggle continues and has many dimensions, one of which is spiritual. We all are engaged in spiritual warfare and have a spiritual front. We want all Orthodox Ukrainians to unite around Kyiv and the Kyivan See," emphasized Metropolitan Epifaniy. "When we have a strong, independent autocephalous Orthodox Church, it will be a testimony that we will have our own unified, strong, democratic European Ukraine."