Pochaev, Ukraine, August 27, 2021
spzh.news
There have been innumerable cross processions throughout Ukraine this summer, bringing together thousands, and sometimes even hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians united by their Orthodox faith.
Among them, there have been several processions to the Holy Dormition-Pochaev Lavra in western Ukraine, the most important monastery in Ukraine after the Holy Dormition-Kiev Caves Lavra.
The latest of these processions reached the monastery on Wednesday, having traversed 155 miles over the course of 7 days, reports the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian Church’s Pastor and Flock journal.
More than 40,000 faithful joined in the procession that began on August 19 in Kamenets-Podilsky. Video posted by Pastor and Flock shows the pilgrims arriving at the monastery to shouts of “Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!”
Commenting on the procession, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Pochaev, the abbot of the Lavra, emphasized that the labor of a procession is necessary “to acquire good deeds and receive the prayerful intercession of the Mother of God, as this procession is dedicated to the feast of her Dormition.”
Going on pilgrimage and procession is also a testimony to one’s living faith, which aids in cleansing the soul from sin, His Eminence said. Further, procession is an expression of penitential prayer, which draws the mercy and grace of God.
And indeed, the life of every Christian is a procession along the thorny path that leads to the Heavenly Kingdom, the Metropolitan continued.
And in our times, such spiritual feats are extremely necessary, for the good of our souls. In conclusion, Met. Vladimir wished all the pilgrims God’s help in increasing their faith, that their zeal might be filled with glory.
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