Orthodox Church Primate holds prayer service on Kyivan Rus-Ukraine Baptism anniversary

Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, led a prayer service by the monument to the Holy Prince Volodymyr in Kyiv.

The event was part of celebrations of the 1033rd anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus-Ukraine and the day honoring the memory of the Holy Apostolic Prince Volodymyr, the Baptist of Rus, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Representatives of the OCU dioceses from all over Ukraine gathered on Volodymyrska Hill and walked to the Prince Volodymyr monument from St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral, where the Divine Liturgy took place.

Due to health safety restrictions, no large crowds were allowed at the event.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on July 27, the OCU kicked off in Kyiv festive events on the occasion of the 1033rd anniversary of the baptism of Rus-Ukraine. An overnight vigil was held in St. Michael’s Cathedral, presided over by Metropolitan Epiphanius.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate rallied its followers for a massive procession in Kyiv.

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, amid coronavirus concerns, turned down the option of gathering crowds for any religious procession – the same way the church did last year.

Every year on July 28, Ukraine celebrates Day of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine. The holiday was established by the Presidential Decree of July 25, 2008.

On the same day, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Prince Volodymyr, the Baptist of Rus.

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