Pochaiv pilgrims: Far more people join procession this year

Kamianets-Podilskyi–Pochaiv Cross Procession. Photo: UOJ

The Kamianets-Podilskyi–Pochaiv Lavra cross procession is now in its fourth day and, according to participants, is noticeably larger this year than it was last year. Pilgrims walking in the procession told a UOJ correspondent about the scale of the pilgrimage.

No one is willing to give an exact number of participants – estimates vary. The best indication is the length of the procession itself. Last year, it stretched for about two kilometers. At the start of the 2026 procession, it was already around three kilometers long, and by the fourth day even more people had joined.

“There are especially many young people. You could say that young people now make up one of the main groups in the procession,” a UOJ source said.

The daily distance varies. On the first day, pilgrims walked about 20 kilometers, while on the second and third days they covered around 35–40 kilometers. They set out very early – at around 3:30–4:00 a.m.

Local residents along the route have reacted differently. Some come out to meet the pilgrims, cross themselves, wave and watch them pass. Others, by contrast, play or sing the Ukrainian national anthem and shout slogans such as “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!” – either to show their negative attitude toward the procession or in an attempt to provoke its participants.

As for the police, at least in the Khmelnytskyi region, their attitude toward the pilgrims has been appropriate. Law enforcement officers have treated participants with understanding, tried to prevent incidents and helped resolve situations that arose so that the procession could proceed peacefully.

At the same time, one UOJ source did not rule out that some police officers and members of other security agencies may personally have a negative attitude toward the pilgrimage.

“However, while carrying out their duties, they behave correctly and tolerantly, without allowing their personal views to interfere with their work,” he stressed, adding that the participants hope that, after seeing the scale of the procession and the good intentions of thousands of people, some members of the security services may change their attitude toward the pilgrims.

The procession is currently moving through the Khmelnytskyi region. Ahead lies the Ternopil region, where, according to the pilgrims, additional difficulties may arise.

“But we’ll see. We will keep going. Everything is in God’s hands,” the UOJ source concluded.

As previously reported, the Kamianets-Podilskyi–Pochaiv Lavra cross procession is one of the largest annual pilgrimages of the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and has a history spanning nearly two centuries. In recent years, local authorities have repeatedly attempted to restrict or ban the procession, while pilgrims themselves have repeatedly reported pressure along the route.

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