Faithful in Rakhiv celebrate Feast of the Lord’s Cross with procession

Religious procession in Rakhiv on the Feast of the Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Photo: Khust Eparchy

On August 14, 2025, the Feast of the Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, Bishop Mark of Rakhiv, Vicar of the Khust Eparchy of the UOC, led the traditional procession of the cross through the streets of Rakhiv, the Khust Eparchy’s press service reported.

The eparchy reminded that the origins of this feast go back to ancient Constantinople. In the hot August days, when the city often suffered from epidemics, the holy relic – a part of the Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord – was brought out from the imperial treasury and carried through the streets, beseeching God’s protection and mercy.

“Following this ancient pious tradition, even today the faithful gather together to walk in a procession of the cross, offering prayers for peace and the salvation of people,” the statement said.

After the procession through the streets of Rakhiv, Bishop Mark held a litia for the departed soldiers at the city’s memorial alley and prayed for the Ukrainian state and its defenders.

The procession was held with the blessing of Metropolitan Mark of Khust and Vynohradiv.

As the UOJ previously reported, on August 14, the patronal feast of St. Anna’s Convent in Bukovyna was celebrated with a festive service.

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