Today, His Beatitude Epiphanius, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, visited the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, accompanied by the regional leadership, led by the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk OVA Svitlana Onyshchuk.
He met with the University leadership, led by Acting Rector Igor Tsependa, and held a meeting-dialogue with students. His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius also visited the University’s exhibition hall and were acquainted with the best artistic works of students and teachers.
The acting rector of the Precarpathian National University, Ihor Tsependa, opened the guest’s meeting-dialogue with the students. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between scientists at the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine:
“It is symbolic that, as the rector of the Kyiv Theological Orthodox Academy, Metropolitan Epiphanius attended the presentation of our university’s unique three-volume publication “The Great Skete in the Carpathians” on December 5, 2017, at the National Reserve “Sophia Kyivska”. This work of our scientists under the leadership of Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Mykola Kuhutyak contains manuscript monuments of the 17th–18th centuries created by monks. This was the beginning of a return to the greatness of Ukrainian monasteries. Your words about spirituality and the indomitable spirit that supports our people through faith remain important to us. And today’s is dedicated to the main idea – “not to lose heart”, because the sermons of His Beatitude today are aimed precisely at ensuring that young Ukrainians remain strong and look to the future.”
At the end of the meeting, Metropolitan Epiphanius awarded Acting Rector Ihor Tsependa with the Order of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, as well as a cross and a medal for the revival of spirituality in Ukraine, loyalty to the ideals of goodness, and significant contribution to the public good.