Visit of the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine to TNMU
On May 21, 2021, His Beatitude Epiphanius, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, visited I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University. The meeting of teachers and student of TNMU took place in the assembly hall of the administrative building. The head of the OCU was accompanied by the head of the diocese, Archbishop Nestor of Ternopil and Kremenets.
The Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine His Beatitude Epiphanius was met by representatives of the administration and the student government of TNMU at the university entrance.
The event started with the Lord’s Prayer by the choir of Ternopil Medical University.
Professor Mykhaylo Korda, the rector of TNMU, in his welcome speech noted: “It is a great holiday and historical event in the university, because we welcome the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine His Beatitude Bishop Epiphanius. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine is the largest in the number of believers in our country, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, one of the fifteen autocephalous churches in the world.” Addressing to the honorable guest, Mykhaylo Mykhaylovych stressed that in December 2018 the entire TNMU staff was worried, excited and happy about the decision at the Local Council in Hagia Sophia, recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to establish an autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
His Beatitude Bishop Epiphanius in his speech encouraged the participants for good deeds, strengthening of the faith and high spirit.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius answered the questions of the youth and wished the future doctors to reach new and new heights, to be enriched both scientifically and spiritually, and to continue to grow from strength to strength.
The audience was interested in the situation regarding unification of the churches of Ukraine into a single Christian church. The students and teachers asked to share where the source of bishop’s energy and inspiration. The sixth-year students asked for advice on how to maintain warm relationships with their classmates and teachers after graduation. The students were also interested in the clergy’s point of view on the rapid development of science and technology. There were also questions about living in quarantine and the ability to make plans in restrictions.
After answering the questions, His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Doctor of Theology and Professor Epiphanius was awarded with the Diploma of Honorary Professor of Ternopil National Medical University.
The Primate expressed his gratitude for the high award and awarded Processor Mykhailo Korda, the Rector of the university, with the Order of St. Michael the Archangel, the second degree. His Beatitude Epiphanius wished further wise and successful managing the university.
At the end of the meeting the spiritual anthem of Ukraine “Bozhe velykyi yedynyi (God, the great one)” and the Ukrainian holiday song “Mnohaia lita (Many Years of life)” were performed.
On the occasion of this significant meeting the staff of TNMU presented to the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine His Beatitude Epiphanius a painting by Stepan Nechai, the famous Ternopil artist, which depicts the oldest church in Ternopil (late XVI century) – the Church of the Exaltation, also Nadstavna Church).
Photo album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=tdmu.official&set=a.3906087669513334
Video at https://www.facebook.com/tdmu.official/videos/516977842780795
Yanina Chaikivska, TNMU Spokeswoman
Photos by Ivan Pshoniak