Source: Orthodox Life
Zarichevo, September 28, 2016
The first Church on the territory of Ukraine in honor of Venerable Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia has been consecrated at the Convent of St. Mary Magdalene in the Transcarpathian village of Zarichevo. Archbishop Theodore of Mukacheve and Uzhhorod consecrated the church and celebrated the Divine Liturgy on September 25, reports the site Mukacheve.church.ua.
After the service Archbishop Theodore delivered an archpastoral speech to hundreds of believers who had arrived for the celebrations and pointed to the major trait of the holy ascetic of Mt. Athos in whose memory the temple was consecrated:
What was the distinguishing characteristic of Venerable Porphyrios which makes him different from the clergy of his time and from all of us? I will tell you one striking, important thing – he loved people! That is all. I will not tell you any more of his character. He loved absolutely everyone infinitely and devoted much of his life to his spiritual children! Despite his grave illness (cancer of the pituitary gland) St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia continued to receive people and to heal them with his boundless love until the end of his life.
The archpastor stressed that during the Liturgy he had prayed fervently that all those present would receive a gift from Venerable Porphyrios:
“May he help us be firm in the Orthodox faith and heal our ailments of soul and body. I believe and feel certain that Venerable Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia will surely provide what we have asked for,” Archbishop Theodore said in conclusion.
