Horbanivka Theootokos Icon honored at Poltava Eparchy monastery

Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Myrhorod led a festal service at the Horbanivka Convent.

On the feast of the Horbanivka Icon of the Mother of God and the Synaxis of the Saints of Poltava, Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Myrhorod celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Horbanivka Convent of the Mother of God in Poltava, the Poltava Eparchy reports.

Concelebrating with the Metropolitan were Archpriest Ioann Korniienko, dean of the Poltava city district; Archpriest Oleksandr Antoniuk, dean of the surrounding district; Archpriest Mykola Dovhanych, the eparchy's press secretary; and clergy from the city and the monastery.

Praying at the service were Abbess Angelina, superior of the Horbanivka Convent, and her sisters; Abbess Mastridiia, superior of the Poltava Convent of the Exaltation of the Cross, and her nuns; and numerous faithful. The hierarchal choir, directed by Protodeacon Heorhii Lind, sang the liturgical hymns.

During the service, clergy and laity offered fervent prayers for peace in Ukraine. Following the communion hymn, Archpriest Serhii Kasianenko delivered a sermon to those gathered.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, participants took part in a festive religious procession, after which Metropolitan Philip addressed the faithful with an archpastoral message and bestowed his blessing upon everyone.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that thousands of believers in Bukovyna had gathered to venerate the Boyany Icon of the Mother of God.