Persecuted UOC parish in Rakiv Lis celebrates patronal feast in new church

The faithful marked the fifth anniversary of the consecration of the church built to replace the one that was seized, as well as its patronal feast, in the Volyn village of Rakiv Lis.

On September 30, 2026, Metropolitan Nafanail of Volyn and Lutsk celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and Their Mother Sophia in the village of Rakiv Lis. According to the Volyn Eparchy website, the community marked five years since the consecration of the church, which was built to replace the one that had been seized.

Concelebrating with the hierarch were the church rector, Archpriest Rostyslav Sizhuk, clergy of the eparchy, and visiting clergy. During the service, the ruling hierarch presented the rector with a high liturgical award.

Special prayers were offered during the service for peace in Ukraine and deliverance from the enemy. Prayers were also offered for those in despair, people who have lost their homes, those helping people in need, and for the healing of wounded Ukrainian servicemen.

After the Liturgy, the clergy and faithful held a procession around the church. Metropolitan Nathanael then addressed those gathered with a sermon and congratulated the rector and parishioners on their patronal feast and the anniversary of the church’s consecration. He wished the community God’s help, spiritual strength, and steadfastness in the Orthodox faith.

The hierarch called on the faithful to emulate the virtues of the holy martyrs, who bore witness to their faithfulness to Christ through their lives and martyrdom. The festive service concluded with a common prayer and the archpastoral blessing.

As the UOJ previously reported, a UOC church built to replace a seized church was consecrated in the village of Rakiv Lis.