The decade of the All-Ukrainian Cross Procession

On July 27, 2016, exactly ten years ago, the All-Ukrainian Cross Procession for Peace concluded in Kyiv. For nearly a month, two groups of pilgrims – one from the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra and the other from the Pochaiv Lavra – walked across the country to unite in common prayer on the Volodymyr Hill.

Even then, the pilgrims faced obstacles: roads along their route were reportedly mined, access to cities was blocked, and radical groups were set against them.

But the faithful made it. Eighty thousand people walked through the center of Kyiv to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and together with those who gathered to welcome them at the monastery's gates, the total number reached around one hundred thousand.

Today we look at this footage with mixed feelings: the Lavra has been seized, religious processions are actually banned, and the Church is being persecuted.

But Christ said to us: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." And we must remember: above the darkest clouds the sun always shines. "We shall behold Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, shining life upon all."