Metropolitan Victor comments on provocations against Metropolitan Onuphry
The ruling bishop of Khmelnytskyi called on the faithful to follow Christ’s example, pray for their persecutors, and not return evil for evil.
Metropolitan Victor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv addressed the faithful of his eparchy after the visit of the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, for the consecration of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, was disrupted by actions of local authorities and radical groups. A video message was published by the press service of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy.
The bishop noted that the faithful had long and diligently prepared for the feast day. More than 100 children from the Sunday school participated in the preparations, and a charity fair was planned in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and war orphans.
“Your labors were not in vain. Every flower you brought to the church, every minute spent preparing – all of it was seen by our Lord,” Metropolitan Victor consoled the saddened parishioners.
Commenting on the incident, the hierarch urged believers to follow Christ’s example and pray for their persecutors. “People often act out of fear, misunderstanding, or under the influence of false information,” the bishop said, explaining the motivations behind the provocations.
He emphasized that a Christian’s task is not to return evil for evil, but to bear witness to Christ’s love through their life. “We are not judges, and so we entrust all who burn with hatred against us to God’s judgment,” he stated.
Metropolitan Viktor added that such trials are given for the spiritual strengthening of the community and expressed gratitude for the support coming from across Ukraine and abroad. He called for intensified prayers for Ukraine and for the enlightenment of all hearts.
“The Church of Christ has endured far more terrible trials – and endured. So will we, for Christ is with us,” Metropolitan Victor concluded.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy was compelled to cancel services with Metropolitan Onuphry at the St. Nicholas Cathedral due to the aggressive behavior of radicals who staged a protest directly outside the church gates. Authorities also brought in garbage trucks and sewage disposal vehicles to the site.
