His Beatitude expresses condolences regarding the rocket attack on Kyiv

Okhmatdyt hospital suffered significant damage as a result of the morning rocket attack on Kyiv. Photo: Radio Liberty

On July 8, 2024, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, expressed condolences to the director, staff, and patients of the National Children's Specialized Hospital "Okhmatdyt", as well as to the mayor of the capital, Vitaliy Klytschko, in connection with the Russian rocket attack on Kyiv. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

"Dear Volodymyr Apollinariyovych! Dear doctors, staff, and patients of the National Children's Hospital 'Okhmatdyt!' Dear brothers and sisters! My heart is filled with sorrow at the terrible news of the destruction of the National Children's Hospital 'Okhmatdyt' as a result of enemy shelling, the injury of patients, children, parents, staff, and the death of two workers," the address reads.

His Beatitude emphasized that life is a gift from God, which no one has the right to take away.

"The Ukrainian Orthodox Church prays for the speedy recovery of our children, the strengthening of parents, and calls on its faithful to fervent prayer for all those affected," said the Primate of the UOC. "Sharing with all relatives and friends the bitterness of the loss of the deceased, we offer prayers to the All-Merciful God to accept the souls of the newly departed into His heavenly abode, and to you, Volodymyr Apollinariyovych, the doctors, the staff, and all those affected by today's tragedy, patience to overcome the consequences of the disaster and the speedy resumption of the hospital's activities."

Addressing the city's mayor, His Beatitude expressed condolences on behalf of the episcopate, clergy, and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as well as personally, in connection with the death of people and the destruction of residential and office buildings as a result of today's enemy rocket attacks on our capital.

"Everything in this world has a certain limit, but the enemy has once again crossed it and shown their cruelty," he emphasized.

The archpastor wished everyone the strength to "endure the pain of the heavy loss of people that has befallen us and our capital with Christian dignity."

"We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured, for the comfort of those who have lost their loved ones, and for the repose of the souls of the newly departed innocent victims," concluded Metropolitan Onufriy.

As a result of today's Russian shelling in Kyiv, 22 people were killed and nearly 100 injured. The total number of victims in Ukraine exceeded 150, with more than 30 dead. The city authorities of the capital declared July 9 a Day of Mourning.

As previously reported by UOJ, a funeral service was held in Ostroh for a fallen soldier, the son of a UOC priest.

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