Zhirovichi, Grodno Province, Belarus, August 21, 2024
The 3rd All-Belarusian procession. Photo: church.by
Thousands of Orthodox faithful in Belarus and Ukraine are walking hundreds of miles this week in religious processions.
On Sunday, August 18, the 3rd All-Belarusian Procession left from the Holy Dormition-Zhirovichi Monastery, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the feast of the Synaxis of All Belarusian Saints, reports the Belarusian Orthodox Church.
Photo: church.by
The procession was preceded by the Divine Liturgy and a moleben before the start of any good deed celebrated by the monastery abbot His Eminence Archbishop Gury of Novogrudok.
The pilgrims will cover 155 miles in 9 days, passing through 4 dioceses and 21 churches. The procession will end on the feast of the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God on August 26 with the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in the Belarusian capital, celebrated by the Belaruasian primate, His Eminence Metropolitan Benjamin.
Photo: pravlife.org
On the feast of the Transfiguration, August 19, the annual procession from Kamenets-Podolsk, Khmelnitsky Province, Ukraine, to the Holy Dormition-Pochaev Lavra set out, despite mass religious events being specifically banned by the Khmelnitsky Regional Military Administration during the period of the procession.
For several centuries, Orthodox Christians have set out from Kamenets-Podolsk every year on August 19, headed for the Lavra, 125 miles away, for the feast of the Dormition. Various other processions head out from other cities and villages as well.
Photo: pravlife.org
According to participants, there are about 3-4,000 people, though more are constantly joining them along the way. Thus far, there are no reports of local authorities trying to physically obstruct the procession.
The faithful are carrying a massive crucifix, crosses, and several large icons, chanting spiritual hymns, prayers, and akathists along the way. The faithful are especially praying for peace in Ukraine for the fate of the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The Ukrainian Parliament adopted the bill to ban Orthodoxy the day after the procession started. It now awaits the president’s signature to finally pass into law.
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