The Holy Fire arrives in Ukraine
The clergy of the UOC brought the Holy Fire to Ukraine. Photo: t.me/v_novynskyi
On the evening of May 4, 2024, the Holy Fire was brought from Jerusalem to Ukraine. As reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC, the sanctity will be brought to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and to all the eparchies of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The Holy Fire was brought by pilgrims who attended the service at the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord in Jerusalem. In Ukraine, they were met by the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Deacon of the UOC Vadim Novinsky, who was present at the ceremony, wrote in his Telegram channel: "The Holy Fire descended in Jerusalem, which means that the Lord has blessed us for another year by His grace. We all greatly need its warmth right now. We need it to melt all malice and hatred, to bring peace and prosperity, to give people the opportunity to smile and rejoice in life."
The Holy Fire will be brought to the Easter service at the Church of the Venerable Agapitus of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, where His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry will distribute it to all believers during the festive liturgy.
"Traditionally, the Holy Fire will be passed on to all the eparchies of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and its clergy will take it to every corner of Ukraine," the UOC reports.
As the UOJ reported, on May 4, 2024, at 14:14 Kyiv time, the Holy Fire descended in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ above the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. This year, due to military actions, the service at the Church above the Holy Sepulcher was held with unprecedented security measures.
Read also
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.
Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”
At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.
Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore
An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.
7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan
According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".
Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar
The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.
SBU shows what to do with those who celebrate Christmas on January 7
The video of the SBU features its employees breaking down the apartment doors with the comment: "Who comes 'caroling' to those who celebrate Christmas on January 7."