4th-year students tonsured as readers at Pochaiv Seminary

Tonsure of 4th-year students of the Pochaiv Seminary as readers. Photo: UOC Information Center

On September 11, 2026, Metropolitan Sergiy of Ternopil and Kremenets and Rector Archbishop Job of Shumsk performed the rite of tonsure as readers for fourth-year students of the Pochaiv Theological Seminary, reports the UOC Information Center.

The tonsure was traditionally held on the feast commemorating the Beheading of the Honorable Head of St. John the Prophet and Forerunner of the Lord. The hierarchs performed the rite of cheirothesia with the laying on of hands and an archpastoral blessing. Following the rite, the newly tonsured readers received Holy Communion during the Divine Liturgy.

A reader is the first rank of the Orthodox clergy and the lowest order of cleric. A reader’s duties include reading liturgical texts and Holy Scripture in church. In ancient times, readers also explained the texts and translated Scripture into local languages. Among the great Church Fathers who began their ecclesiastical service as readers were St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom.

As the UOJ reported, DESS gave the Pochaiv Lavra another 60 days to break ties with the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC.

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