Former captain of Ukrainian football team ordained deacon

Former captain of the Chernomorets Odessa football club has become a deacon of the Russian Orthodox Church. Kirlik's career in football finished last summer, when Chernomorets refused to prolong his contract. Before it, Kirlik had played for Metallist, Kremen, Niva and Arsenal clubs.

"No doubt, ordination of a renowned sportsman, the captain of a famous football team testifies to the authority of the canonical Church in Ukraine. His deacon ordination is important not only for Andrey Kirlik's private life. It is a missionary event as many people know and respect him as a footballer and now we can expect them to intensify their attention to the Church of Christ," commented press-service of the Yedinoye Otechestvo Odessa public organization.

Source: Interfax religion