In Kirovohrad region, procession held to venerate 20th-century holy martyr
A releigious procession dedicated to the feast day of Hieromartyr Mykolai of Iskrivka. Photo: Oleksandriia Eparchy
On October 2, 2025, in the Oleksandriia Eparchy of the UOC, hundreds of believers participated in the annual procession dedicated to the feast day of the Holy Martyr Mykolai of Iskrivka, as reported by the eparchial press service.
Hundreds of believers and priests with crosses, banners, and icons, with prayers and requests for the Lord's help, set out from the village of Hannivka to the Holy Cross Church in the village of Iskrivka, Kirovohrad region. The procession was traditionally led by Metropolitan Boholep of Oleksandriia and Svitlovodsk.
The length of the prayer procession was 8 kilometers.
"It is a small yet significant feat for a Christian. It is performed with joint prayer to God and in honor of the memory of the Holy Martyr Mykolai," the message states.
The prayer procession concluded with a festive Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cross Church.
Holy Martyr Mykolai Mykhailichenko, who suffered a martyr's death for the faith of Christ in 1919, was the rector of the church in the village of Iskrivka. The godless found the priest in the church bell tower where he was hiding, brutally killed him, and left the body, which was subsequently reburied three times. Thus, the prophecy was fulfilled: the Lord revealed to the priest that he would be killed and buried three times. To which the Holy Martyr said: "For You, Lord, I am ready to endure to the end". In 2000, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church canonized Father Mykolai and discovered the relics of the Holy Martyr. Since then, a large flow of people has been coming to the church, and the cross procession has been held for more than ten years.
As reported by the UOJ, in Pryyutivka, the court denied the OCU rights to the UOC community's church.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.