UOC Primate addresses participants of international conference in KDAiS

The Primate of the UOC, Metropolitan Onuphry, in a meeting of the Academic Council of the KDAIS at the Holosiivskyi Holy Intercession Monastery. Photo: kdais.kiev.ua

The head of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, addressed the organizers, participants, and guests of the 15th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Spiritual and Secular Education: History of Relations – Modernity – Prospects" held on October 24, 2023, by the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary (KDAiS).

The UOC Primate expressed regret that for the second year in a row, the conference is taking place under conditions of martial law.

"The full-scale Russian military aggression against Ukraine continues," he noted. "Every day, we hear air raid sirens, and every day, not only Ukrainian soldiers but also the civilian population of Ukrainian cities and villages parish. In the face of this terrible invasion, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church offers intensified prayers for the Ukrainian state, for Ukrainian soldiers, and for the much-suffering Ukrainian people."

The Primate emphasized that the UOC "finds itself in an extremely difficult situation today", and for the first time in over a decade, the conference is not being held at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra but at the Holosiivskyi Holy Intercession Monastery, where the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary has relocated.

"I want to once again thank the monastery's abbot, Bishop Isaaс, for his hospitality and readiness to provide comprehensive assistance to the Kyiv theological schools in this challenging moment. I also want to express words of support to the Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, Archbishop Sylvester, for ensuring a full educational process, despite the wartime and increasing pressure that our Church faces," His Beatitude wrote.

According to him, "No matter how difficult the circumstances of our Church's existence may be, we must preserve the theological schools because the preparation of worthy candidates for the priesthood is the foundation on which the Church stands and grows."

The Primate reminded the participants that this year marks the 90th anniversary of the blessed repose of the last rector of the pre-revolutionary Kyiv Theological Academy, Confessor Vasily (Bohdashevsky), as well as the 90th anniversary of the death of the renowned theologian and professor of the KTA, Vasily Ekzempliarsky. Both made a significant contribution to the development of domestic theological science and set an example of the faith profession during the times when the Soviet authorities initiated large-scale persecutions against the Church. When the functioning of theological educational institutions in Kyiv became nearly impossible, St. Vasily and the professors of the KTA managed to register the Academy in accordance with Soviet legislation and maintain the educational process until 1924.

"Despite the loss of academic premises, the lack of dormitories, and the impossibility of normal funding, Academy professors, led by the Rector, continued their pedagogical service as long as it was possible. Even after the final closure of the Academy, professors tried to maintain the academic tradition, despite the dominance of militant atheism in the country. Only today are we gradually discovering this hidden page of the history of the Kyiv Academy. Even during the years of the most severe persecutions, former Academy professors continued to write theological, historical, and memoir works, keeping them 'on the shelf', with no hope that they would ever be published. And today, as this heritage gradually comes to light, we begin to better understand their feat of confession and martyrdom," the Primate noted.

He emphasized, "The Kyiv Theological Academy is not just a theological school; it is a school of faithfulness to Christ, and we must always be ready to continue this tradition of confession."

"Despite any trials, we all must remain faithful to Christ and His Church. We must fearlessly testify to our faith before this world. And the Lord Himself will grant us His almighty support," the Primate wrote.

He wished all conference participants and guests "fruitful discussions and blessed success in grasping the truths of divine revelation" and called for God's blessings upon their efforts.

As reported, the international conference is attended by teachers, postgraduates, and students from theological and secular educational institutions, as well as experts in theology, philosophy, history, and pedagogy. The materials of the scientific forum will be published in the journal "Works of the Kyiv Theological Academy".

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