His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Prayed at All-Night Vigil Service in Holy Dormition Pochaiyv Lavra

On August 4, 2009, on the eve of the celebration of the icon of the Mother of God of Pochayiv the all-night vigil service was held with a vast assembly of people in attendance. The liturgical service was conducted by Metropolitan Agathangel of Odessa and Izmayil. The faithful prayed both at the Cathedral and in the square of Lavra – the audio broadcast of the Divine Liturgy was organized for them.

Upon completion of Polyeleos the Wonderworking icon of the Mother of God of Pochayiv in the silver starry icon-case, usually placed in the third row of iconostasis, above the Royal Doors, was slowly pulled down on the special ribbons at the human height. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill venerated the icon of the Theotokos.

In his word to the faithful at the All-Night Vigil service the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church greeted everyone on the feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Pochayiv, on the 450th anniversary of its bringing into this land.

During the reading of the canon at the Matins His Holiness anointed the faithful with the holy unction.
All those who came to the liturgical service were given the small icons of the Mother of God of Pochayiv with Patriarchal blessing overleaf. “As a souvenir of our joint prayer I’d like to give you my blessing so that in every house there was a keepsake of the prayer with the Patriarch. I ask you also not to forget me in your prayers unto the Lord, so that the power of God helped me to bear the patriarchal cross”, said His Holiness. 25 thousand of icons were distributed between the faithful on that day.

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