Zhirovichi, Grodno Province, Belarus, August 21, 2023
eparhia.by
On August 18, the eve of the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the All-Belarusian Cross Procession began at the Holy Dormition Monastery in Zhirovichi, Grodno Province.
eparhia.by The procession is timed to coincide with the 850th anniversary of the repose of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk, the Belarusian Church’s most beloved saint. It will last 9 days and over more than 155 miles, reports the Novogrudok Diocese.
The procession was preceded by a moleben for the start of any good work, served by His Eminence Archbishop Guriy of Novogrudok, clergy of the monastery local diocese, and visiting clergy from throughout the country participating in the procession.
The Archbishop offered a word of edification, then led the beginning of the procession.
The prayer march will conclude with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the walls of Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk on August 26.
In April-May 2020, the Belarusian faithful processed 650 miles in honor of the 550th anniversary of the appearance of the wonderworking Zhirovichi Icon of the Mother of God.
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ross-bel.ru
Venerable Euphrosyne was a 12th-century princess who chose the angelic life of monasticism, having loved prayer from her childhood. She founded the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery in Seltso, and through her efforts, a cathedral was built in 1161 that survives to this day. She peacefully reposed in the Lord while on pilgrimage in the Holy Land in 1173.
The Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church issued an epistle in honor of her anniversary in June.
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