On Metropolitan Vladimir’s 75th birthday, Patriarch Kirill celebrates Divine Liturgy at Kiev Laura of the Caves

On November 23, 2010, the 75^th birthday of His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Sts Anthony and Theodosius Refectory Church in the Kiev Laura of the Caves.

The celebrant, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, was assisted by a great assembly of bishops and clergy representing Local Orthodox Churches. Present at the service was Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich and other officials as well as numerous representatives of public organizations and non-Orthodox Christian Churches.

In spite of the heavy rain, a multitude of people came to participate in a common prayer for Metropolitan Vladimir.

After the liturgy, Patriarch Kirill addressed Metropolitan Vladimir, presenting him with a pectoral icon and a cross made by Ural craftsmen. President Yanukovich extended congratulations to the metropolitan and handed him the Order of Freedom in acknowledgement of his ‘great personal services for the establishment of peace and social accord and long-standing zealous work to revive the spirituality and national and cultural identity of the Ukrainian people’.

His Beatitude Vladimir spoke in response and then accepted congratulations from participants in the celebrations, the Patriarchal Press Service has reported.