Patriarch Kirill to visit Ukraine on July 26 to 28

Interfax-Ukraine
18/7/2012

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will visit Ukraine on July 26 to 28 to join celebrations of 20 years since Metropolitan Vladimir of Kyiv and All Ukraine was enthroned and to mark the Day of Kyivan Rus Christianization.

“The visit will begin on July 26 and last until July 28. The Russian patriarch is expected to arrive at 10 a.m. and he will travel from the airport to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery immediately to meet with Metropolitan Volodymyr and to attend a meeting of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod,” spokesman for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow patriarchate Heorhiy Kovalenko said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.

“By tradition, the Holy Synod convenes in Kyiv during July visits,” he said.

The Holy Synod meeting will continue on July 27 and then a press conference will be given, he continued.

A prayer will be conducted on St. Vladimir’s Hill (Volodymyrska Hirka) and then a reception will be given at Ukraine Palace to mark 20 years since Metropolitan Volodymyr was enthroned

A night’s vigil will be conducted at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery in the square in front of the Assumption Cathedral.

On Russia Christianization Day, July 28, which is also Day of Prince Vladimir Equal to the Apostles, a divine liturgy will be conducted on the square in front of the Assumption Cathedral at the Kyiv-Pechersk Larva with the participation of Metropolitan Vladimir and Patriarch Kirill. The liturgy is to be broadcast live on Ukraine’s Channel One.

The festivities will be attended by representatives of 13 of the 15 local Orthodox churches.

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