Kiev, May 17, 2024
Despite the ongoing state persecution against it, the Holy Dormition-Kiev Caves Lavra held a festive celebration yesterday in honor of the great St. Theodosius of the Kiev Caves.
This year marks the 950th anniversary of the repose of the founder of cenobitic monasticism in ancient Rus’ and abbot of the Kiev Caves from 1062 to 1074.
Services began on the eve of the feast with Small Vespers and the Akathist to St. Theodosius in the Church of St. Agapit, the Lavra reports.
Later in the evening, the All-Night Vigil was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, His Eminence Metropolitan Kliment of Nizhyn and Priluki, His Grace Bishop Spyridon of Vishneve, the monastery clergy, and visiting clergy.
Two Liturgies were also celebrated the next morning, including in the cave church named for St. Theodoius, served by his namesake Archimandrite Theodosius. The Liturgy in the Church of St. Agapit was celebrated by five hierarchs, led by Met. Anthony. Prayers for peace in Ukraine were offered at all services.
Following the service, a moleben and magnification to St. Theodosius were served, with a prayer to the great monastic father.
The services in the St. Agapit Church were broadcast live. Watch the All-Night Vigil:
Watch the Divine Liturgy:
Meanwhile, His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, abbot of the Lavra for the past 30 years, was forced to celebrate the feast in his house church, where he is being held under house arrest under the state that is actively persecuting the Orthodox Church.
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