Patronal feast celebrated in restored Transfiguration Cathedral of Odesa

On August 19, 2026, on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a festive Liturgy was celebrated at the central altar of the restored Transfiguration Cathedral of the Odesa Eparchy of the UOC three years after the cathedral was damaged in a missile strike, reports the eparchy's press service.

The service was led by Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail, co-served by Archbishop Diodor of Pivdenne, Archbishop Viktor of Artsyz, Bishop Alipiy of Tarutyne, Bishop Anastasiy of Ovidiopol, and numerous clergy of the eparchy. During the Liturgy, special prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, the cessation of the war, and God's blessing upon the Ukrainian people.

The eparchy notes that this year, for the first time since the Russian missile strike in 2023, the festive Liturgy on the feast day of the cathedral's patron saint was celebrated in its central altar.

After the service, a festive moleben was served and a prayer was read for the blessing of grapes and other fruits of the new harvest, after which the clergy sprinkled them with holy water. In conclusion, Metropolitan Agafangel addressed the clergy and faithful with an archpastoral word, congratulating everyone on the feast and wishing them peace and God's help.

As the UOJ reported, the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral was damaged on the night of July 23, 2023, as a result of a massive missile strike on the city. The restoration of the shrine was carried out through donations from benefactors and patrons, a specially established fund, and the efforts of clergy and parishioners over the course of three years.