UOC clergy participate in celebrations of Romanian monastery in Putna
“They welcomed us with love — as brothers in faith,” said Father Vitaliy Honchariuk, who was recently severely beaten by militants during an attempted seizure of the Chernivtsi cathedral.
On July 2, 2025, the clergy of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church visited the Putna Monastery in Romania, where a festive service was held on the occasion of the 521st anniversary of the repose of Saint Stephen the Great, whose relics rest in this holy abode. This was reported by a UOJ correspondent.
The festive Liturgy at the monastery was led by Metropolitan Ignatius, a hierarch of the Antiochian Patriarchate. Concelebrating with him were Abbot Archimandrite Melchisedek (Melnyk), the brotherhood of the monastery in holy orders, clergy of the Romanian Church, as well as guests from the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC and other Orthodox Churches.
Archpriest Vitaliy Goncharuk, who suffered during the seizure of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi by militants, also came to the celebration to share the joy with the Romanian clergy and Orthodox pilgrims.
“Today we felt a shared spirit, love, and harmony. A significant part of the Romanian population also lives in Bukovyna — and we honor Saint Stephen the Great. Recently, our bishop, Metropolitan Meletius, consecrated a church in his honor. Despite the difficulties that our eparchy and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are currently experiencing, here in Romania we feel the unity of the Orthodox. We were welcomed with love as brothers in faith,” Father Vitaliy said.
We thank the Information Department of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți for their assistance in producing this story.
As the UOJ previously reported, believers from Bukovyna took part in a massive procession in Suceava.
