Source: Union of Orthodox Journalists
Poltava, Western Ukraine, November 29, 2016
On the feast day of Venerable Paisius Velichkovsky (1722-1794), Theophan, Archbishop of Iasi and Metropolitan of Moldova and Bukovina (the Romanian Orthodox Church), brought a particle of the saint’s relics as a gift to the city of Poltava, reports the official website of the Poltava Diocese of the UOC-MP.
On November 28 Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Myrhorod celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Convent of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the city of Poltava with Metropolitan Theophan of Moldova and Bukovina concelebrating.
During the service a prayer for peace in Ukraine was offered up. Over 1000 pilgrims prayed at the Liturgy.
Secretary of the UOC-MP’s Poltava Diocese Archpriest Mikhail Voloshchuk delivered a sermon to the worshippers, recounting for them the life of Venerable Paisius.
After the service Archbishop Theophan of Iasa, Metropolitan of Moldova and Bukovina, presented the faithful with a portion of the relics of St. Paisius Velichkovsky. In his address Metropolitan Philip, on behalf of all the clergy and the congregation, thanked Archbishop Theophan for the joint prayer and in return gave him an icon of the Most Holy Mother of God.
Neamt Monastery, where Venerable Paisius Velichkovsky once lived, is situated to the north-west of the Romanian town of Targu Neamt. The holy relics of St. Paisius Velichkovsky are enshrined at the Lavra’s cathedral.
