Thousands of faithful venerate Mother of God at Pochaiv Lavra
After the festive Liturgy, thousands of pilgrims took part in a religious procession with the miraculous Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God.
Solemn Divine services were held at the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra on the feast day of the Pochaiv Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, reports the monastery's press service.
The Divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil and Kremenets. His Eminence was concelebrated by hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Lavra's brethren, and guests in holy orders. Thousands of believers from various parts of Ukraine took part in the celebration.
After the Liturgy, a religious procession was held with the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, after which the miraculous shrine was returned to the Dormition Cathedral of the monastery, where it is normally kept above the Royal Doors. There the faithful offered prayers to the Mother of God.
The abbot of the Lavra, Metropolitan Volodymyr of Pochaiv, congratulated the hierarchs, clergy, and laity on the feast day of the Pochaiv Icon. Metropolitan Serhiy then addressed him with words of congratulation on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his service as abbot of the monastery.
As the UOJ reported, on the eve of the feast, the festive All-Night Vigil at the Pochaiv Lavra began with an akathist before the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.