Chairman of Theological and Canonical Commission to the Holy Synod of the
UOC
Permanent
member of the Holy Synod
In the world - Orest Volodymyrovych Berezovskyi
Born
05.11.1944
Name Day
- June 25
Consecration - 09.12.1990
Chairs Cathedra since 09.12.1990
Metropolitan of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna Onuphriy was born on November 5, 1944 in the village of Korytne, Vashkivtsi District of the Chernivtsi region in a
priest's family.
In 1961 he graduated from the secondary school. Throughout 1962-1964 he studied in the Chernivtsi Technical School, and later worked in the construction organisations of Chernivtsi.
In 1966 he entered the General Technical Department of
the Chernivtsi University.
In 1969 after the third year in the University he was
enlisted second year student of the Moscow Theological Seminary, from which he
graduated in 1972.
On March 18, 1971 he was tonsured a
monk. On June 20 of the same year he was
ordained hierodeacon by Archbishop of
Dmytrov Philaret (Vakhromeev), Rector of the Moscow Theological Schools (now
Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk), and on May 29, 1972 he was ordained
hieromonk by Archbishop Sergiy (Golubtsov, †1982), who stayed after retirement
in the Holy Trinity St.Sergius Lavra.
In 1980 he was elevated to the rank of Hegumen.
On August 28, 1984 appointed rector of the Holy Transfiguration of Our Saviour Church of
the Athos Metochion in the village of Lukino (Peredelkino
station of the Moscow region).
From June 28, 1985 - Dean of the Holy Trinity St.Sergius Lavra.
In 1986 on the occasion of
the feast of nativity of Christ he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.
In 1988 he graduated from the MTA with a scientific
degree of a Candidate of Theology for the research project "Pastoral service of
the Venerable Job, Hegumen of Pochayiv".
From July 1988 till November 1990 - Superior
of the Holy Dormition Pochayiv Lavra.
On December 9, 1990 he was consecrated Bishop of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna.
In 1994 - elevated to the
rank of Archbishop, and in 2000 - to the rank of Metropolitan.
Activity Metropolitan Onuphriy
rules the Diocese of
Chernivtsi since December 1990.
During his tenure practically all the parishes, abolished in the Soviet times
have been restored - about 120. The Holy Spirit Cathedral has been returned to
the Church and has regained its former splendour by the efforts of the Diocese.
70
new parishes have been
established. Everywhere in the churches
previously captured by schismatics now the restored communities of the UOC
function.
In the investigatory isolation ward
of Chernivtsi and in the prison of Sokyryansk
the churches have been built.
270
priests have been ordained
and 87 monks have been tonsured.
4 previously functioning
monasteries have been restored: the Holy
Nativity of the Theotokos "Gorecha" in Chernivtsi, liquidated in the 17th
century by the Austrian power, the St.John the Theologian Khreshchatyk
Monastery, closed in the Soviet times, the Holy Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple Convent of Chernivtsi, and the Neporotiv St. Nicholas
Cave Monastery.
8 new abodes have been created, including the Holy Ascension Banchen
Monastery, where the orphanage for 150 persons is established.
With the
participation of Vladyka the monasteries and parishes are actively engaged in
the charitable and social work.
In 2000 the
Orthodox Theological Institute of Chernivtsi was founded.
The premises of the Diocesan
administration are fully reconstructed.
In the territory around the Holy
Spirit Cathedral the monument to the first Metropolitan of Bukovyna Eugene (Gakman) is erected.
In the diocese
the pilgrim movement and missionary work are in the process of active
development.
AWARDED
Church Orders:
1988 - of the Holy
Equal to the Apostles Great Prince Vladimir of the 3rd degree.
2000 - "Nativity of Christ
- 2000" of the 1st degree
2003 - of the Holy
Hierarch Innocent of the 1st degree (Orthodox Church of America).
2004 - of the Holy
Equal to the Apostles Great Prince Vladimir of the 2nd
degree; of the
Venerable Nestor the Chronicler of the 1st degree. | |
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