Over 20,000 believers go in a procession from Kamenets-Podolsky to Pochaev

Participants of the cross procession. Photo: UOJ

Participants of the cross procession. Photo: UOJ

On August 19, 2019, from the ancient church in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Dolzhok of Kamenets-Podolsky, a traditional procession of many thousands took place.

“Our procession has been setting off from this church for more than 200 years,” said a source from the Union of Orthodox Journalists.

Reportedly, the procession began with a prayer service for pilgrims, after which at 14:00 the clergy and believers made for the Holy Assumption Pochaev Lavra.

Metropolitan Theodore (Gayun) of Kamenets-Podolsky and Gorodok led the prayer procession.

According to estimates of law enforcement officers accompanying the religious procession, more than 20,000 believers took part in it.

“There are people from all over Ukraine and even from the uncontrolled territories of Donbass. I encountered people from Australia here, pilgrims from Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Georgia,” our source shared with the UOJ correspondent.

The cross procession is supposed to arrive at the Lavra on Sunday, August 25, 2019.

Recall that in 2017-2018, about 20,000 people also took part in the cross procession from Kamenets-Podolsky to Pochaev. “All of our people and our Church throughout all these years have been praying so that the Lord will enlighten people’s minds, that people humble themselves and the long-awaited peace and harmony necessary for the basic prosperity and development of society will be established,” said Metropolitan Theodore.

Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris

Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.

Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit

More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.

Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk

Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.

Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death

The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.

Polish Culture Ministry funds restoration of Armenian cathedral in Lviv

An international project supported by Poland aims to preserve the unique artistic heritage of the Armenian Cathedral in Lviv.

Persecuted UOC parish in Rakiv Lis celebrates patronal feast in new church

The faithful marked the fifth anniversary of the consecration of the church built to replace the one that was seized, as well as its patronal feast, in the Volyn village of Rakiv Lis.