The Church celebrates Baptism of Rus’ Day

UOC religious procession in 2021. Photo: Metropolitan Victor's Telegram channel

On July 28 (July 15 according to the Julian calendar), Orthodox believers in Ukraine celebrate one of the most significant feasts in the history of Slavic Christianity – the Day of the Baptism of Rus’. This day commemorates the historic event of 988, when Saint Prince Volodymyr, Equal-to-the-Apostles, made the decision to baptize Kyivan Rus’.

The Baptism of Rus’ was a turning point in the history of the people, determining their spiritual and cultural development for centuries to come. The adoption of Christianity from Byzantium laid the foundation for the formation of a unified Orthodox civilization.

Since 2015, large-scale religious processions have been held in Kyiv on the eve of the feast, on July 27, gathering hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. The faithful walk from Volodymyr Hill to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Earlier, the UOJ called on UOC believers to take part in a virtual procession – by filming the religious procession in their village, town, or parish.

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