Beloved in Christ,

With a heart that is both heavy and full of hope in the mercy of God, I write to you today to share important news concerning our beloved spiritual father, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Prime Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and of the Diaspora.

His Eminence has been hospitalized and is undergoing a delicate heart surgery. This is a time when we, his spiritual children, are called to unite in fervent and unceasing prayer, lifting him before the Throne of the Almighty. We know well that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Physician of our souls and bodies, the One Who hears the cries of His people, Who comforts the afflicted, and Who grants life and healing according to His holy will.

Our Metropolitan has spent his entire archpastoral life in tireless service to Christ and His Holy Church - leading with wisdom, compassion, and a father’s love; preaching the Gospel with gentleness and truth; and shepherding the flock entrusted to him with faithfulness and humility. Now, in his moment of physical trial, it is our sacred duty to surround him with the warmth of our prayers and the strength of our love.

I ask each of you - clergy and faithful laity alike - to remember His Eminence continually: in the Divine Liturgy, in your daily prayers, and in the quiet moments of your hearts. Let us call upon the intercessions of the Most-Holy Theotokos, the Mother of our Great High Priest, and of all the saints, to watch over him and to intercede before the Lord for his healing.

O Lord Jesus Christ, our Divine Healer and the Giver of Life, we beseech You: look down from heaven with Your merciful eye upon Your faithful servant, Metropolitan Antony. Grant him strength in body, peace in mind, and comfort in soul. Guide the hands of the physicians and all who minister to him, that they may be instruments of Your healing grace. Renew his spirit, that he may rise from his bed of illness to continue proclaiming Your Gospel and shepherding Your people. Through the prayers of the Most-Holy Theotokos, the Physician of the sick, and of all the saints - especially the holy hierarchs and wonderworkers - send down upon him the dew of Your heavenly mercy and preserve him for many blessed years, to the glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.

As Scripture reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Let us, therefore, be steadfast in our petitions, believing with all our hearts that the Lord hears us and acts in His perfect love.

May the God of all comfort and healing bless His Eminence with a swift and complete recovery, granting him many more years of fruitful ministry in the vineyard of Christ. And may our unity in prayer at this time be a witness to the love of the Church - love that bears one another’s burdens, and in so doing, fulfills the law of Christ.

With love in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Archbishop Daniel