18.07.2008, [12:11] // UGCC //RISU.ORG.UA

Kyiv— “On 27 July a thanksgiving service to God for the gift of baptism will occur in all Greek Catholic parishes of Ukraine.” So said Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh, auxiliary bishop of the Kyiv Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). RISU posted the news on 16 July 2008.

Bishop Dziurakh, also the secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, also stated that “After the Liturgy there will be a moleben [prayer service] to Equal to the Apostles Grand Prince St. Volodymyr. Afterwards there will be an act of renewing baptismal vows, during which people will renounce evil and renew their union with Christ.”

On 27 July in Kyiv near the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, which stands on the shore of the Dnipro River, will take place a pontifical Liturgy where a few thousand pilgrims are expected. There will also be a festive blessing of water, ending with a musical concert.

During the summer and autumn faithful of the UGCC will make pilgrimages to Kyiv. The goal of these travelers is to find their roots, which begin in the Kyivan church. During the pilgrimages, the faithful will visit the patriarchal cathedral, the Kyivan Monastery of the Caves, St. Sophia’s Cathedral, and other sanctuaries in Kyiv. The pilgrimages will culminate with prayer services on Volodymyr’s Hill near the foot of the monument to Volodymyr the Great. The newly-created Pilgrim Bureau of the Kyiv Archeparchy is responsible for organizing the pilgrimages.

Greek Catholics of the eparchy will also participate in all of the events that the state is organizing for the occasion of the 1020th anniversary of Volodymyr’s Baptism.