LAST UPDATE: 16:53
By Kostas Onisenko
Without the established processions of the faithful, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine celebrated yesterday and today the 1032nd anniversary of Christianization of Kyiv Rus’.
The festivities, which are very solemn every year, were reduced this year due to quarantine measures, with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine offering the opportunity and encouraging the faithful to watch all the events online so that there is no risk of transmission of the coronavirus, as there is a significant resurgence of the epidemic in the country.
Today, July 28, the day when the Orthodox Church commemorates St. Vladimir, has been designated as a day of celebration for the Christianization of Kyiv Rus’, the primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy, officiated the Divine Liturgy at St. Michael’s Cathedral and then recited the prayer next to the statue of St. Vladimir. Earlier last night, the Metropolitan presided over the Vigil service at the same cathedral.
“I officiate the Divine Liturgy with a special feeling. As today we honor Saint Vladimir and the majestic event of the 1032nd anniversary of Christianization of Kyiv Rus’, thanks to which our people are united in the Orthodox faith. We thank the Lord for His generosity and kindness, and may He fill our hearts with the triumph of joy and love,” said the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent his message to the Ukrainian people on the anniversary of Christianization of Kyiv Rus’.
In his message, Zelensky spoke of Christian values as a “guide” for the Ukrainian people to gaining independence.
“The conversion to Christianity has brought Ukrainians closer to the great family of European nations, setting deep traditions of political and legal culture,” he said, among other things.
