In Dublin, UOC community celebrates its first patronal Protection Feast

Protection Parish of the UOC in Dublin. Photo: uoc-news.church

On October 14, 2024, on the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, celebrated its first patronal feast. The Divine Liturgy was led by the Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka, who oversees the Western European Vicariate, as reported by the UOC Information and Education Department.

The bishop was concelebrated by the parish rector, Archpriest Ioann Krytskyi, Archpriest Volodymyr Holovakov, Priest Stephan Kovtash, Priest Stakhiy, and Protodeacon Sergiy.

Around a hundred faithful – parishioners and guests from other UOC parishes in Ireland – participated in the festive service.

Bishop Veniamin traveled to the capital parish from Killarney, where he organized the first regular services two years ago. The current rector of the Dublin parish also began his ministry in this town.

After reaching an agreement with the Roman Catholic leadership of the Church of the Miraculous Medal of the Virgin Mary, Father Ioann began providing spiritual care for Orthodox Ukrainians in Dublin.

"The first service here took place in November 2023. Since then, the Protection Orthodox Parish has gathered for liturgy every Sunday. This includes several dozen faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, for whom the service has become a vital spiritual foundation of life abroad. To participate in the Divine Liturgy, some of them travel tens of kilometers weekly, while others travel a hundred or more," the statement reads.

During the liturgy, special prayers were offered for Ukraine, its defenders, displaced persons, and those providing support to Ukrainians abroad.

At the end of the service, Bishop Veniamin spoke about the significance of the protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in the life of every person. He encouraged turning to the Mother of God in times of sorrow and joy.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of the Queen of Heaven, grant peace to our souls, peace to our country, and peace to the entire world today and always. So that we may continue to gather in this church and glorify the Pure Name of the Mother of God. I congratulate all of you, dear reverend fathers, brothers, and sisters, on the first patronal feast," the bishop said.

The parish rector thanked Bishop Benjamin for the joint prayer. Father Ioann expressed hope that, with God's grace, the religious community would continue to grow and be a place where every believer could grow spiritually.

After the service, everyone was invited to traditional tea gatherings. On the occasion of the feast, parishioners organized a festive meal, offering guests Ukrainian dishes.

Services in Dublin are held on Sundays at Bird Ave, Dublin 14, D14 VP11.

As previously reported by the UOJ, persecuted parishes of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC also celebrated their patronal feast.

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