Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling

Cross procession around Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson. Photo: Kherson Eparchy

On June 1, 2026, the Day of the Holy Spirit, Metropolitan John of Kherson and Tavria presided over the Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast of Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson, the press service of the Kherson Eparchy reports.

The festal service took place under extraordinary circumstances. After Russian shelling on April 26, 2026, the cathedral suffered significant damage, making it impossible to celebrate the Liturgy at the main altar. For this reason, for the first time in the shrine’s history, the patronal feast service was held in the lower church.

In keeping with a long-standing tradition, the wonderworking Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God was brought to Kherson from Odesa for the feast. The revered icon is historically connected with the Kherson land, although it is now kept permanently in Odesa.

After the Liturgy, Metropolitan John led a procession around the cathedral and addressed the faithful with an archpastoral word. The hierarch called on those gathered to grow in the Christian virtues spoken of by the Apostle Paul – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, mercy, and faith – so that every Christian might become a “good tree” bearing good fruit.

With Metropolitan John’s blessing, a charitable meal was organized for all parishioners and pilgrims who had come to share in the joy of the patronal feast.

As the UOJ reported, a funeral service was held in Kherson for female parishioners of the UOC cathedral who were killed by shelling.

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