ID :
13864
Sat, 07/26/2008 - 13:22
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/13864
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East Ukrainian clerics, lay preparing to meet Alexy II
DONETSK, July 26 (Itar-Tass) - Clerics and the lay from the Donetskdiocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church reporting to Moscow Patriarchate are not taking part in the festivities in Kiev dedicated to the 1,020th anniversary since the adoption of Christianity by Kievan Rus, father George, the press secretary of the diocese told Itar-Tass.
He explained that the clerics and regular churchgoers have decided to stay back and prepare for a forthcoming visit of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II, who is expected to come to the East-UkrainianDonetsk region next Tuesday.
"We're awaiting the high-rank guest and, being good hosts, we're doing everything in our power to hold the reception at an appropriate level," father George said. "That's why the priests and the lay have stayed back proceeding from organizational considerations." "We've have obtained the consent of our hierarchs in Kiev for this, since we are Church people and do everything only after we get blessings,"he said.
Official functions dedicated to the anniversary have begun in Kiev, where the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople and the UniverseBartholomew has arrived.
Alexy Ii will take part in the festivities, too, after which he willgo to the Donetsk region.
While staying here, he will lead a festive sermon in the Transfiguration Minster in Donetsk and a number of services in the Assumption Monastery on the Holy Mounts located in the northwest of theregion.
One of the services will be dedicated to the icon of the Virgin Mary of the Holy Mounts, which is a highly venerated icon in the UkrainianOrthodox Church.
He explained that the clerics and regular churchgoers have decided to stay back and prepare for a forthcoming visit of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II, who is expected to come to the East-UkrainianDonetsk region next Tuesday.
"We're awaiting the high-rank guest and, being good hosts, we're doing everything in our power to hold the reception at an appropriate level," father George said. "That's why the priests and the lay have stayed back proceeding from organizational considerations." "We've have obtained the consent of our hierarchs in Kiev for this, since we are Church people and do everything only after we get blessings,"he said.
Official functions dedicated to the anniversary have begun in Kiev, where the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople and the UniverseBartholomew has arrived.
Alexy Ii will take part in the festivities, too, after which he willgo to the Donetsk region.
While staying here, he will lead a festive sermon in the Transfiguration Minster in Donetsk and a number of services in the Assumption Monastery on the Holy Mounts located in the northwest of theregion.
One of the services will be dedicated to the icon of the Virgin Mary of the Holy Mounts, which is a highly venerated icon in the UkrainianOrthodox Church.
