UOC religious procession to Josaphat's Valley canceled again
Hierarchs and believers of the UOC in Josaphat's Valley. Photo: eparhia.vn.ua
In Vinnytsia Oblast, the UOC has once again canceled the traditional procession to the site of the Theophany of the Most Holy Theotokos in Josaphat's Valley (Valley of Crosses), located near the village of Holynchyntsi. This was reported by the press service of the Mohyliv-Podilskyi Diocese.
The decision was made due to the ongoing martial law and the order from the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration prohibiting mass religious events outside of places of worship.
However, the diocese has announced the schedule of services, which will begin on August 14 at 17:00 with the All-Night Vigil at the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Monastery near the village of Holynchyntsi in the Zhmerynka District of Vinnytsia Oblast.
On the night of August 15, at 24:00, a midnight Divine Liturgy will be held.
The festive service on August 15 will take place after a meeting of the hierarchs scheduled for 8:30.
Josaphat's Valley, or the Valley of Crosses, is an Orthodox shrine of Podolia, known as the site of the Theophany of the Most Holy Theotokos to a poor shepherd from the village of Holynchyntsi, Yakov Mysik. In the summer of 1923, Yakov saw the Mother of God with the Child above a spring and, upon asking, "What should we do?" he received the response: "Put up crosses, glorify Christ." That same day, the villagers erected the first cross in the valley, and within a few months, the area around the spring was filled with crosses. The authorities cut down the crosses several times in an attempt to stop the flow of pilgrims; 9 priests and 18 laypeople were put on trial. Yakov Mysik was martyred in prison.
The revival of Josaphat's Valley began in the 2000s. Today, there are more than ten thousand crosses there.
By the blessing of Metropolitan Agapit of Mohyliv-Podilsky and Sharhorod, a monastery in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was established on the site of the shrine in 2019 (Valley of Crosses).
As reported earlier, in 2023, a new UOC church was consecrated at the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Monastery in the Valley of Crosses.
Read also
National Antiochian Orthodox Choir to Perform at Carnegie Hall
Those who wish to join the choir as singers must submit their applications by this Sunday, September 21.
Orthodoxy Grows in West with Baptisms in Chile and Netherlands
Converts were received into the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas and the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Western Europe, respectively.
Theophilos Greets Kirill After Snubbing Bartholomew
The Patriarch of Jerusalem met with the Patriarch of Moscow during a conference in Kazakhstan. Notably, Theophilos avoided meeting the Patriarch of Constantinple during his recent visit to Istanbul.
Abp. Alexei: How to Pray as a Family
"If a family prays together," His Eminence said, "the household becomes a little tower in that vineyard."
Pat. Bartholomew Honors U.S. Traditions, Greek Heritage in Washington Visit
Bartholomew lays wreath at Arlington, meets with U.S. leaders, and blesses faithful in Virginia.
Police Return Relics of St. Raphael to St. Vladimir's Seminary
Yonkers officers, K9 unit honored with blessing and thanksgiving at the seminary.