Ten years ago, he was elevated to the ancient See of Metropolitans of Kyiv as a spiritual master for millions of believing people, as first among equals — the rightful Ukrainian hierarchs, connected through a chain of an unbroken graceful succession with the Apostles of Christ themselves.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the omophorion of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, as an integral part of the long-suffering Ukrainian people, is living through most difficult trials and open persecutions, unprecedented in recent history. For all these years, His Beatitude has led the church ship almost without losses, guided not by merely worldly considerations, but by sincere prayer and spiritual thinking, trying to seek the will of God in everything. He is our good shepherd, who gives his life for his brothers and sisters in Christ. And today, he is in great need of our moral and, first of all, ardent prayerful support, that the Lord may strengthen him in passing all the new impending trials.

On the verge of even harder challenges prepared by the enemy of the human race through his entirely earthly cohorts and servants, we all should rally around our Primate, stand steadfastly in the Truth together with him, and not deviate from the path which is dangerous at first sight but is the only true and saving one.

I sincerely wish hierarchs and priests to be faithful to their oath and not to give in to ever-growing threats, blackmail, sweet flattery, and temptations. I wish the laity, my brothers and sisters in Christ, strength of faith and bravery. We all, as a people of God, are keepers of the Truth and Unity. Together, with God's help, we will overcome all of it.

'Where there is no bishop, there is no Church', taught the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer. The Orthodox Church is different from frauds in the fact that she is not just an ordinary earthly organisation, which can be founded or banned by a decree or will of influential people. The Church of Christ has been created not by men, but by God Himself, and she will be on earth to the end of the age.

There is only one graceful canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Her name is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Everything else is from the evil one.

Dear brothers and sisters!

A persecuted Church is the true Church. In spite of the ever-increasing pressure, we should preserve bravery, steadfastness, and faithfulness, cherish our God-blessed unity, and unwaveringly follow Christ. There is no other choice for a believing soul. 'In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world', the Saviour taught us.

Let us give thanks to the Lord for sending our Church such a Primate as His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy in so hard a time — a kind archpastor and spiritual father and a true monk, who loves God and his neighbours.

Happy day of your enthronement, Your Beatitude!

I wish you strengthening grace, spiritual and bodily strength, and health for many and blessed years!