UGCC Permanent Synod of Bishops announced the date of the blessing of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv

Friday, 15 February 2013, 16:03

According to the decision of UGCC Permanent Synod of Bishops, now taking place in Kniazhych near Kyiv, the blessing of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Kyiv will take place on August 18, 2013 during the International All-Church Pilgrimage to the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv to celebrate the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine.

As His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), UGCC Head, noted in his comments to UGCC Department of Information (video), the blessing of the cathedral does not mean that all the construction will be completed. Right now, only the external construction is done.

“In order to bless a church, according to the rules of the Church, one needs to build an unmovable altar,” explains UGCC Primate. “Therefore, the blessing of a church is essentially dependent on the blessing of the altar.”

According to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the timing of the blessing will be symbolic. “Pilgrims from all over the world will come to Kyiv to celebrate the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine. Given the celebration, Kyiv will also host the UGCC Synod of Bishops which means that our bishops from around the world will be here. We also expect numerous guests from the European Eastern Churches and Heads of the Bishop Conferences of Latin American Churches from numerous countries,” explained UGCC Head.

The blessing ritual will be preceded by an all-night prayer service by youth. After Liturgy on the banks of Dnipro River, there will be a renewal of Baptismal vows, the blessing of water and the sacrament of Baptism for Adults who have been preparing for this.

“We are grateful to all those who are contributing their efforts to the blessing of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ and in organizing the pilgrimage. I invite all of our faithful to join the pilgrimage to the Patriarchal Cathedral and to participate in its blessing,” concluded His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

UGCC Department of Information