On August 2 there was held a Cross Procession of the UOC in Western Ukraine to honor “Pochaevskaya” icon of the Mother of God

On August 2, in Ternopol region, there was held a cross procession in the honor of “Pochevskaya” icon of the Mother of God. It is reported by UNIAN.

According to father superior of the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra Met. Vladimir (Moroz), such religious event offers another possibility to ask God for peace in Ukraine. 

“When a column of believers proceeds, it sanctifies our lands, enlightens our hearts. God’s grace touches every side of our earthly life. During the cross procession we will pray for welfare and prosperity of our country, for the end of blood shedding and peace arrival,” told Metropolitan Vladimir.

The participants will cover 15 kilometers with a miraculous icon “Pochaevskaya” and will be accompanied by horse-riding cossacks. The pilgrims are going to walk along the historic route, along which in 1597 the Pochaev Lavra monks transferred the icon from the mansion of property owner Anna Goyskaya to the holy monastery. Last year over 5000 pilgrims participated in a similar cross procession.

It will be reminded that a cross procession from Savchitsy village tot eh Pochaev Lavra takes place annually to commemorate the events which are 400 years old. In 1559 Greek Metropolitan Neophytus stayed for a night in the house of pious property owner Anna Goyskaya and gave her an icon of the Mother of God to thank the woman for her hearty welcome. The icon was kept in the house praying room for 40 years. After the woman’s brother, Philip Kozinskiy had been miraculously healed (he was blind) by the icon, Goyskaya decided to transfer it to the brethren on the Pochaev Mount. In 1997, to commemorate the day of the icon’s transfer to the Pochaev Lavra, a cross was set up on the place of Anna Goyskaya’s castle.

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