UOC faithful make pilgrimage to holy sites of Georgia

UOC pilgrims near Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. Photo: Metropolitan Feodor on Facebook

Faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church visited the holy sites of Georgia, Metropolitan Feodor of Mukachevo and Uzhhorod reported on his Facebook page. With the metropolitan’s blessing, the pilgrimage was led by Uzhhorod Dean Archpriest Volodymyr Hui.

The group included pilgrims from Zakarpattia, Kyiv, the Lviv Eparchy, and abroad. In Zugdidi, they venerated the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos, and in the ancient capital of Mtskheta they visited Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, where the Lord’s Chiton is preserved beneath the floor. The faithful also venerated the relics of Venerable Gabriel Urgebadze at Samtavro Monastery.

In Tbilisi, the Ukrainian pilgrims visited the country’s main cathedral, Tsminda Sameba, as well as Sioni Cathedral. There they venerated the honorable head of the Apostle Thomas and the cross of Saint Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia. The itinerary also included remote monasteries: the David Gareji Lavra, the cave complex of Vardzia, and the monasteries of Kakheti and Bodbe.

The main event of the pilgrimage was participation in the Divine Liturgy and joint prayer. Throughout the journey, the faithful asked God for peace in Ukraine. In Sioni Cathedral, the pilgrims served a panikhida at the tomb of Patriarch-Catholicos Ilia II, honoring his memory with deep respect.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that pilgrims of the Chernivtsi Eparchy had met with Patriarch Theophilos.

Read also