Bike ride on the occasion of Rus Baptism takes place in Gorlovka eparchy

An Orthodox bike ride dedicated to 1029 anniversary of the Rus Baptism is organized in Dobropolye, writes the site of the eparchy.

After the Sunday liturgy participants of the bike ride from 3 to 80 years and priests of all parishes of the deanery gathered for a prayer service before the Intercession Church of the city of Dobropolye.

The dean of the district, Protopriest Feodor Ivashchuk, blessed bicyclists and sprinkled them with holy water. After that the procession started on bicycles. Bicycles and escort cars decorated flags and stickers with the symbols of the Orthodox bike ride.

More than a hundred people took part in the cycling cross procession. Children of three or four years went with their parents in a special back seat. Alongside professional athletes and young amateurs there were those who are over seventy. Among the participants were children with disabilities. The bike ride was accompanied by the traffic police and ambulance.

The participants covered a 27-kilometer route and visited the temples of Holy Trinity, Holy Assumption and Presentation, as well as the parish of St. Great Martyr Alexandra in Dobropolye deanery. Along the way of the bike ride local residents came out to meet the participants.

In all the churches bicyclists were greeted with a bell ringing. In the parishes bicyclists were offered meals. The cycle race finished at the church of the Great Martyr Alexandra of the city of Belitskoye. There for the participants of the bike ride and all the townspeople the folk ensemble "Vechornytsi" of the city house of culture performed.

Dean of the District Archpriest Feodor Ivashchuk thanked the participants, as well as city and district authorities, traffic policemen, medical personnel, parishioners of temples of the deanery and staff members of houses of culture who helped to hold this action. All participants of the bike ride made a general memory photo.