Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has paid tribute to the chief rabbi of Ukraine after the latter’s adoptive son was killed while fighting to defend Ukraine from Russian forces last month.

Matityahu Samborsky, named so after Mattathias, the Maccabean Jewish priest who stood against invaders over 2000 years ago, had been adopted by Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman when he was 11 years old.

Posting to X/Twitter on Friday morning, Chief Rabbi Mirvis wrote that his “heart goes out to Chief Rabbi Moshe Azman, Rebbetzen Channa and their family on the tragic loss of Matityahu, who was killed in combat as he defended Ukraine.

“Our thoughts are with Matityahu’s wife and their young daughter. May his memory be a source of blessing to them and may they be comforted among all the mourners of Zion.”

Announcing the details of the funeral, Chief Rabbi Azman wrote on Facebook: “In 2002, we adopted an 11-year-old orphan named Anton Samborsky, but we gave him the Jewish name Matityahu in honour of the Maccabean hero who stood against invaders more than 2,200 years ago – an event that is the basis of the Hanukah holiday.”

The Orthodox rabbi said Matityahu had lived with his family for 10 years after being adopted, before eventually moving out and living independently.

A notification announcing Matityahu's death

“Matityahu got married, and in May of this year, he had a daughter,” wrote Chief Rabbi Azman, “But a week after the birth of the child, he was drafted into the army. After a short training, he was immediately sent to the front.”

Matityahu Samborsky, circled (Credit: Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman's Facebook)

The religious leader last saw his adopted son on July 17, just a few days before Matityahu went missing during battle. After a week of “extensive searches”, the body was found and identified, and the chief rabbi and his wife notified.

Matityahu Samborsky, circled (Credit: Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman's Facebook)

Rabbi Azman said he would pray for “all the heroes who gave their lives,” whose “courage and self-sacrifice will never be forgotten.

“Eternal glory to the heroes who fought for their motherland. Since the beginning of this terrible war, almost every Ukrainian has lost a loved one, or knows someone who was injured, and in Israel we are fighting a common enemy.”

Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman (Credit: Handout)

Adding words of encouragement from the Torah, he said: “In these difficult times, we remember the verse from the book of Psalms: ‘Even though I walk through the valley of Zalmat, I will not fear evil because you are my steadfastness’ (Psalms 23:4). This faith strengthens us to know that even in the darkest moments, God is with us. We pray for all the soldiers and citizens who are on the front lines defending the Land of Israel and Ukraine and ask that the Lord give them strength and comfort.”

In addition to his adoptive family, Matityahu is survived by his wife and young daughter.