Delegations of OCCLS and Church of Antioch arrive in Kyiv for celebrations

Archbishop Mikhail (Dandar) of Prague and Czech Lands. Photo: UOJ

Official delegations of the Orthodox Church of Antioch and the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia (OCCLS) arrived in Kyiv to celebrate the Day of the Baptism of Rus’, reports the website of the UOC Department for External Church Relations (DECR).

On July 26, 2021, a representative of the OCChLS, Archbishop Michael of Prague, arrived in the capital of Ukraine. At the airport, the hierarch was greeted by the vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC, Bishop Nikolai of Vasylkiv and an employee of the UOC DECR, priest Nikita Kozlov.

On July 27, a delegation of the Orthodox Church of Antioch arrived, led by Bishop Ephrem of Seleucia, secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch. The delegation was greeted by the vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis, Bishop Tikhon of Gostomel and a member of the UOC DECR, priest Vitaly Gorzov.

As reported earlier, a delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church arrived in Kyiv to celebrate the Day of Rus’ Baptism.

On July 27, on the Vladimir Hill in Kyiv, a prayer service led by the Primate of the UOC will be performed, after which a cross procession will set off for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. 

The UOJ is live streaming the 2021 Great Cross Procession online.
 

Read also

Trump Administration Moves to Ban Federally Funded Transgender Procedures for Minors

The Trump administration is moving to bar federally funded hospitals from performing transgender medical procedures on minors, citing evidence of harm and a duty to protect children.

Bp. Theodosius: Ukraine's Authorities Classify Icons as Works of Art and Relics as Mummies

ROCOR hierarch links current policies toward holy sites and clergy to Soviet-era repression, calls for prayer and respect for religious freedom.

Society of St. John's Day of Action Gives Hope Persecution of UOC May Subside, Analyst Says

Political scientist says congressional outreach and high-level U.S. statements signal possible shift in response to persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Catholic Host of 'Roots of Orthodoxy' Says Orthodox Apologists are 'Disgusting', 'Trash'

"You Orthodox apologists are absolutely freaking disgusting," Cabada said. "You're a disgusting human being. You're trash. I'm not scared to say that."

Rep. Bacon: 'I Don't Think the UOC Takes Orders from Russia'

Earlier this week, the congressman rejected an opportunity for dialogue with members of the Society of St. John who visited his office despite them holding the same viewpoint.

Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture

Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.