Numerous cross procession from Brailov reaches Pochaev Lavra

The cross procession from Brailov arrived at the Pochaev Lavra. Photo: UOC Information and Education Department

On August 26, 2019, on the eve of the Dormition of the Virgin – the patronal feast of the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra, a traditional cross procession from the Holy Trinity Brailov Monastery arrived in Pochaev, reports the UOC Information and Education Department.

On behalf of the abbot of the Lavra, Metropolitan Vladimir of Pochaev and the whole brethren, the monastics welcomed the pilgrims on the Pochaev Hill, thanking them for their prayerful feat and work for the glory of God.

“We hope that your prayers will be picked up by the angels of God and brought to the throne of God,” one of the monks who met them addressed the cross walkers. “And from the Throne of God, may the blessing of God and grace be upon all of you, upon your near and dear ones, upon our long-suffering land so that we can glorify the Glorious Almighty God, our Savior Jesus Christ and His Mother of God in our souls and bodies, and pray with holy saints that the Lord prolongs our age, so that we all can see and enjoy the Glory of God. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5: 16)’.”

Also, the monastics expressed the hope that this prayerful feat of the pilgrims will serve as an example for other people who went out to the cross walkers on the way of their following but have not yet decided to join them.

We recall that the pilgrims from Brailov go to the Pochaev Lavra with the cross procession for the 18th year in a row. Among them are not only residents of the Vinnitsa region but also believers from the Zhitomir, Khmelnitsky, and other regions. In the religious procession, pilgrims sing prayers and akathists, pray for the Church of Christ and peace in Ukraine.

As the UOJ reported, the traditional cross procession from Brailov to Pochaev began on August 19, the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The procession was led by Metropolitan Varsonofy of Vinnitsa and Bar, who, together with the pilgrims, walked the first day of the journey.

Earlier, on August 25, a cross procession from Kamenets-Podolsky arrived at the Pochaev Lavra.

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