On April 9, 2023, on Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem, thousands of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church prayed at the Divine Liturgy led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine at the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the Information and Education Department of the UOC reports.

The primate was co-served by Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, managing director of the UOC, Bishop Mark of Borodyansk, the clergy of the monastery and guests in holy orders.

After reading the Holy Gospel, His Beatitude the Archpastor addressed the faithful with a sermon.

At the special litany, they offered to the Lord special petitions for peace on Ukrainian soil and deliverance from the enemy; that the Lord take pity on our people and save those who are in despair and have lost their homes; about God’s blessing to people of good will who help those in need. In a prayer after the litany, His Beatitude the Archpastor asked God for mercy on the Ukrainian people, so that the Lord would make power wiser, strengthen the courage of the soldiers, free the captives, heal the sick and give shelter to those who were deprived of their homes.

After the dismissal, the Primate congratulated the faithful on the holiday. Then His Beatitude Bishop read a prayer for the consecration of the fronds and sprinkled the believers and the willow branches with holy water.