Large-scale cross processions with Theotokos icons held in UOC eparchies

Procession in the monastery in honour of the Deposition of the Holy Robe of the Theotokos in Blachernae. Photo: UOC

From July 12 to July 14, 2019, in the Kiev, Poltava, Mukachevo and Izium eparchies, cross processions with prayers to the Mother of God to bless the homeland took place, reports the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

On July 13, 2019, the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Glorious and Praiseworthy Twelve Apostles, after the Divine service at St. Michael’s Church in the village of Belogorodoka of the Kiev region, an annual religious procession began in the monastery in honour of the Deposition of the Holy Robe of the Theotokos in Blachernae (v. Tomashovka, Fastov district, Kiev region).

The Divine Liturgy was led by Archbishop Damian of Fastov concelebrated by Bishop Bogolep of Alexandria and Svetlovodsk, Bishop Sylvester of Belogorodka, the rector of the church Archpriest Viacheslav Lazorik, as well as the clergy of the Kiev Eparchy.

After reading the Holy Gospel, Bishop Sylvester addressed the present with an archpastoral word.

“Today, Vladyka noted, we have gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Glorious and Praiseworthy Apostles. On the same day, traditionally, an annual cross procession is performed. The cross procession is an imitation of the apostles, a testimony of the living apostolic mission. Everyone who participates in the cross procession today, in fact, performs the mission of the apostles. The cross procession is also a way of teaching the name of Christ. Just by walking along the road, through squares with symbols of Christianity – the cross and the miraculous icons, we show that we, Christians, are alive apostolic teaching.”

The cross procession with the icon of the Mother of God "Support of the humble" was first held on July 13, 2001. The route of 47 km long runs through three districts of the Kiev region: Kiev-Sviatoshin, Makarov, and Fastov. The procession is to celebrate the Feast of the Vvedensky Monastery Skete – the Deposition of the Holy Robe of the Theotokos in Blachernae (July 15).

On July 13, on the Feast of the miraculous Gorbanevka Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, after the Divine Liturgy at the St. Macarius Cathedral of Poltava, a traditional cross procession was held with the honored icon of the Virgin Monastery of Gorbanevka.

Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Mirgorod, Archbishop Nikolai of Kremenchug and Lubny, Bishop Veniamin of Novye Sanzhary, the deans and clergy of the Poltava Eparchy, as well as several thousand pilgrims took part in the religious procession.

At the Holy Spring, at the place of finding the miraculous Gorbanevka Icon in the XVIII century, the Rite of Lesser Blessing of water was performed.

After the celebrations, all those present were offered a fraternal meal.

 A traditional cross procession of believers on the occasion of the Feast of the Delivery of the "She Who is Quick to Hear" Icon in Transcarpathia was held from Uzhgorod to the Holy Assumption Convent in the village of Domboki of the Mukachevo district on the night of July 12/13.

On the evening of July 12, a prayer for the blessing of the beginning of the procession took place at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Uzhgorod.

The prayer procession began around midnight and ended at 8 am. During the cross procession, the believers prayed for peace in the state and protection of the Transcarpathian region from disasters. Memorial services were also made for the repose of the dead in hard times.

On July 14, the final part of the cross procession with the miraculous Peschanka Icon of the Holy Theotokos for peace and prosperity in our country took place in Izium. The prayer procession, led by Metropolitan of Elisha Izium and Kupiansk, headed from the Holy Cross Church for the Ascension Cathedral.

Upon arrival at the cathedral, Metropolitan Elisha addressed the believers with a pastoral word in which he thanked the participants in the procession for the joint prayer in the name of peace, love, and prosperity in our country.

After the end of the sermon, Metropolitan Elisha anointed everyone with holy oil. Dinner and rest were organized for the participants in the procession.

On July 12, on the Feast of the Kasperov Icon of the Theotokos, the patroness of the Black Sea region, more than 10,000 believers walked through the streets of Odessa with a prayer for peace in Ukraine.

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