How is August 28, 2025 different from June 22, 1941?

Kyiv after Russian shelling on the Dormition. Photo: Telegraf

Today, August 28, we celebrate the great feast – the Dormition of the Mother of God. This feast, also called the “Little Pascha,” is especially dear to the faithful, for Orthodox Christians hold a reverent and awe-filled devotion to the Theotokos.

But this year, for Orthodox residents of Kyiv, the Dormition turned out to be anything but festive. After a month and a half of relative calm, Kyiv was subjected to massive shelling by missiles and drones. Instead of rest and preparation for the festive Liturgy, believers were forced to hide in shelters and basements. And several dozen of those who decided not to hide were either killed or wounded.

In the morning, the faithful rushed to their churches under the howl of yet another air raid siren, while many parents with children, because of the danger, decided to remain at home. Such was the feast.

The Church discerns a certain spiritual meaning in the date of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Germany attacked the USSR on June 22, on the Day of All Saints who shone forth in the Russian land. It is believed that Hitler chose to begin the assault on this very day not by chance. There was a hidden signal in this choice, a sign foretelling that all our holy places would be trampled and our Orthodox culture destroyed. Clearly, the implication is that such a decision was made under the influence of evil spirits…

And now, after several weeks of quiet and calm, Russia has unleashed a brutal bombardment of Kyiv. It should be noted: the strikes resumed not on August 27, not on the 29th, but precisely on the Dormition.

One wonders – what spirits played their part in this decision?

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