Ten years after the Great Cross Procession: faith through trial

On July 27, 2016, exactly ten years ago, the All-Ukrainian Cross Procession for Peace reached its destination in Kyiv. For nearly a month, two columns of pilgrims – one from the Sviatohirsk Lavra and the other from the Pochaiv Lavra – crossed the country before joining together in prayer on Volodymyr Hill.

Even then, the pilgrimage faced serious obstacles. Pilgrims were blocked from entering cities, bomb threats were reported along their route, and radical groups were incited against them.

Yet they reached Kyiv.

Eighty thousand faithful processed through the heart of the capital to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Together with those waiting at the monastery's gates, the gathering numbered close to 100,000 believers.

Today, those images evoke mixed emotions. The Lavra has been taken away, religious processions have been effectively banned, and the Church is facing persecution.

Yet Christ told us: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

And we should remember that the sun continues to shine even above the darkest clouds.

"We shall behold Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who shines forth life upon all."