Bishop Maksym Ryabukha Ordains New Deacon for Service in Donetsk Exarchate
On June 23, the Feast of Pentecost, Most Rev. Maksym Ryabukha, auxiliary bishop of the Donetsk Exarchate of the UGCC, ordained subdeacon Ihor Dmytryshyn as a deacon in the Holy Trinity Church in Kryvyi Rih.
This was reported by the press service of the Exarchate.
In his sermon, Bishop Maksym emphasized the significance of the Feast of Pentecost, noting that this holiday brings the light of Christ into people’s lives. He also reminded the congregation that God is always with us, especially in times of distress.
Bishop Maksym Ryabukha
Celebrating the dual feast, Bishop Maksym highlighted the ordination of subdeacon Ihor Dmytryshyn and the role of the deacon in the life of the laity and the entire Church: “God is making a huge gift today. Being a deacon is not a career advancement. To be a deacon means to be God’s hands in the world we live in. To be a deacon means to be the servant of God who recognizes the wounds on the body of Christ’s Church, who is ready to come and bind these wounds; who is ready to come and see someone who is suffering, crying, and embrace them, wiping away their tears and showing them where to seek support and joy. To be a deacon means to recognize those thirsty people who pass by God’s temple in different ways, to feed them and give them water.”
“Today we are all witnessing that no one can prevent God’s dream from being fulfilled,” said the bishop. “This great gift of God’s ordination of deacons is a gift for the whole Church. And in that Church, each of us finds ourselves. Today, while looking at our new deacon Ihor, we realize that God sees our lives, our needs, our dreams, expectations, and aspirations. And He gives us the tools to tirelessly move forward on the road of life. God gives us hope.”
Addressing the newly ordained deacon, the bishop emphasized: “Always be a good witness, a witness who is never afraid of questions because he knows where to find answers. Never be afraid of work, because you always know who gives you strength. Never be afraid of responsibility, because you always know who is behind you. See through God’s eyes and often ask yourself the question: ‘God, what would you do if you were here?’ And then do it.”
The UGCC Department for Information
