Liturgy and cross procession in honor of Baptism of Rus' Day held in Lavra

Divine Liturgy in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on the day of the 1035th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus'. Photo: news.church.ua

On July 28, 2023, on the day of memory of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, a solemn service was held in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in honor of the 1035th anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus, the Information and Education Department of the UOC reports.

The Divine Liturgy on the square near the Exaltation of the Cross Church was officiated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, concelebrated by a host of bishops, priests and deacons. Thousands of believers prayed during the service.

Liturgical hymns were performed by the choir of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary under the direction of Hieromonk Joasaph (Mironov).

The participants in the liturgy prayed earnestly for Ukraine, its people, authorities and army, so that the Lord would grant His peace to the Ukrainian land and mercy to the destitute. Besides, a prayer was offered for the release of the abbot of the Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel, from prison.

After reading the Gospel, the Primate addressed the flock with a sermon.

His Beatitude Vladyka also performed priestly and diaconal ordinations. A graduate of the Kyiv Theological Seminary, Deacon Vladyslav Kryzhanovsky, became a priest, and Anton Tetersky, a student of the 3rd grade of the Seminary, became a deacon.

After the liturgy, a procession of many thousands to the Far Caves of the Lavra took place. There they performed a prayer service to the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir. After the service, parishioners and pilgrims were invited to a festive meal.

As the UOJ reported, on July 28, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine addressed the believers of the UOC and all compatriots on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood.

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