Holy Fire heading for Ukraine

Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) aboard the plane with Holy Fire. Photo: a video screenshot from the “Pravoslavny Visnyk” FB page

The UOC delegation bis delivering to Ukraine the Holy Fire, which today, on the Great Saturday of Holy Week, descended in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem, reports the head of the UOC Mission at European international organizations, Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) of Baryshevka. 

“By God’s grace, we have just received the Holy Fire, which this year descended in the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem at 13:50. With the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine and with the support of the Vadim Novinsky Charitable Foundation of the Protection of the Mother of God, the delegation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will soon deliver the Holy Fire from the Holy Land to Ukraine. May the All-Bountiful and All-Merciful God bless our native state of Ukraine and every Ukrainian through a miraculous descent of the uncreated fire. Happy holiday of the Resurrection of Christ! Christ is risen!" the UOC hierarch congratulated the Ukrainians in a video message published on the “Pravoslavny Visnik” (“Orthodox Herald”) page on Facebook.

The delegation of the UOC plans to bring the Holy Fire to Kyiv approximately at 19:00-20:00 on April 18. The UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), said that everyone will be able to receive the Holy Fire, "we will not alienate anyone, we will not offend anyone".

Read also

Women and Girls at Risk in UK Sports Centres, Report Finds

A report reveals that mixed-sex changing rooms in UK sports centres are putting women and girls at serious risk of sexual assault and voyeurism, prompting calls for single-sex facilities.

ROCOR Subdeacon Invites Rep. Joe Wilson to Divine Liturgy

Gregory Levitsky is a constituent of the congressman and called him to “repent of false witness.”

U.S. Reps. Show Solidarity with Plight of UOC

As part of the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco’s Day of Action on Capitol Hill, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) gave pointed remarks during a press conference.

Illicit Depictions of Orthodox Icons Spark Cancellation of Paphos Gallery Show

A Paphos art exhibition was canceled after paintings depicting Orthodox Christian symbols provoked public outrage and political condemnation for crossing the line between artistic expression and religious offense.

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria to Visit the Phanar for Nativity

Pat. Daniel of Bulgaria will make his first official visit to the Phanar this Nativity, concelebrating with the Ecumenical Patriarch.

Orthodox Lenten Conference Scheduled for March in California

The Christian Life Lenten Conference will gather leading Orthodox clergy and scholars in Riverside this March to explore Christ-centered Christian ethics during Great and Holy Lent.