Heads of Local Churches congratulate Primate of UOC on 80th anniversary

The heads of the Local Orthodox Churches of Poland, the Czech Lands, Slovakia and Macedonia congratulated the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, on the 80th anniversary, which the Metropolitan of Kyiv celebrated on November 5, 2024. This is reported by the official website of the UOC.

«In the spirit of fraternal love, I sincerely congratulate Your Beatitude on your 80th birthday. I wish you health and God’s comprehensive help in carrying the Holy Cross of the Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church in a difficult period for Her. Many years to come, Your Beatitude!» wrote Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Rostislav (Head of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia) also noted the steadfastness of faith and spiritual experience of the Primate of the UOC.

«In the difficult times we are experiencing, your dedication is a great example of humility, wisdom and tireless heroism for us. For all of us, you are a model of a good shepherd and a caring father, whose unwavering faith in God helps to overcome all difficulties, patiently serve your people at the Throne of God and instruct the faithful to stand firm in the Truth of Christ,” the hierarch said in his greetings.

The head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Stefan of Ohrid, also congratulated His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy on his 80th birthday.

«Congratulating you on your 80th birthday, let me, on my own behalf and on behalf of the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Macedonian Orthodox Church — Archdiocese of Ohrid, congratulate you on this holiday, wishing you good health, good spirits and God’s help in every good deed, ” the Primate of the Macedonian Church said in his address.

Earlier, the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije , criticized the continuous pressure and attempts to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The First Hierarch noted that taking advantage of the military conflict in Ukraine, the UOC wants to take away church property and transfer it to a loyal religious structure.