Ukrainian Orthodox Church solemnly celebrates 1030th anniversary of Baptism of Rus’
On July 28, 2018, the commemoration day of the Holy Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles and the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’, His Beatitude Onufry, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the square at the Kiev-Caves Laura of the Dormition.
Among his concelebrants were, along with UOC hierarchs and clergy, representatives of the Patriarchates of Alexandria and Jerusalem and Local Orthodox Churches of Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Albania, Poland, the Czech Lands of Slovakia, Romania, and in America.
There were thousands of parishioners and pilgrims who came to Kiev for the celebrations from all the regions in Ukraine and from other countries.
During the liturgy, the celebrants and faithful led by the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church kneeled down to lift up a fervent prayer for peace in Ukraine.
On the eve, Metropolitan Onufry presided over a thanksgiving celebrated on St. Vladimir’s Hill and led a Grand Procession with the Cross, in which delegations from 12 Local Orthodox Churches and some 250 faithful took part.
After the post-communion prayer, Metropolitan Antoniy of Borispol and Brovary read out a Message of the Episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the Clergy, Monastics and Laity on the occasion of the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’.
After the service, His Beatitude greeted the UOC faithful on the occasion, saying in particular, ‘The Holy Prince Vladimir has given us an opportunity to follows the path of Christ. We as children of St. Vladimir should guard ourselves against sin however difficult it may be and should walk towards Christ’.
On the previous day, Metropolitan Onufry presided over the All-Night Vigil in the Cathedral Square at the Laura. Pilgrims continued praying at the monastery through the night. In the Laura’s refectory church of Ss Anthony and Theodosius, prayers were said and akathistoses were sung at the eight shrines which were brought to the Grand Procession with the Cross, Patriarchia ru reports with reference to the Official Site of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
DECR Communication Service
Photos from the Official Site of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church