His Beatitude: We pray that St. Sergius may reconcile princes who wage war
Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC Press Service
On October 8, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the patronal Divine Liturgy at the Kyiv church dedicated to St. Sergius. In his homily, he reminded the faithful that St. Sergius is called the Intercessor of the Russian Land, who brought peace among warring princes.
“When St. Sergius lived, there was one Rus’, which encompassed vast territories. But the Russian princes loved to fight one another, to be at enmity. And that internal strife brought such sorrow that the Tatar-Mongols came upon Rus’, seized it, and burned Kyiv,” the Primate recalled.
According to His Beatitude, St. Sergius devoted his life to reconciling the princes so that they would not wage civil wars. “When there is an internal war within a state, it weakens it, and it becomes easy prey for external enemies – as happened in those times,” Metropolitan Onuphry noted.
“And we pray that St. Sergius may reconcile all our contending and opposing princes – those within our own country who sow discord, stir up enmity, and unleash internal strife that makes us weak and vulnerable to an external foe,” the Primate of the UOC emphasized.
His Beatitude called for prayers that through the intercessions of St. Sergius, the Lord may strengthen everyone in love, mercy, and patience toward one another:
“So that we may be strong and unconquerable, and may attain eternal salvation in heaven in Christ Jesus,” Metropolitan Onuphry concluded.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Primate of the UOC addressed the defenders of Ukraine.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.