- Title: RELIGION-UKRAINE/BAPTISM Ukraine's Orthodox mark Baptism Day of Kievan Rus
- Date: 28th July 2015
- Summary: PRIESTS CARRYING ICONS AND WALKING PAST OTHER PRIESTS AND SPECTATORS VARIOUS OF PRIESTS WALKING
- Embargoed: 12th August 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ukraine
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVACBWFPZWK7FIZ7K3L3B5Y8RE1W
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Ukrainians on Tuesday (July 28) celebrated the day of the Baptism of Kievan Rus, when Prince Volodymyr the Great -- later Saint Volodymyr -- converted the country to Christianity.
The celebration coincided with the 1000 year anniversary of the death of the ruler who brought Christianity to the medieval Slavic state.
Hundreds of believers gathered for a ceremony led by Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Onufry at the base of the St. Volodymyr monument on Monday (July 27).
Whilst participants expressed joy and wished each other well, many also took the opportunity to voice their wishes for peace in Ukraine.
Over 6,500 people have been killed since conflict broke out in the east of the country between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in April last year.
Metropolitan Anthony expressed his hope for divine intervention to help the conflict-stricken country.
"Today as you can see, eight wonder-working icons to the Mother of God stand at the base of the monument. And we will heartily pray so that Madonna will come to defend our people, beseech her only son, and God will send us long-awaited peace. We will pray for this today - for peace, for unity, for the end of bloodshed on our Ukrainian land," he said.
Kiev resident Nadiya also said she hoped for reconciliation in Ukraine.
"(I wish) we will have harmony and we will be united in a spiritual way and in the earthly way, and this fight will end in our Ukraine and everything will be fine. I ask and beg God and Saint Prince Volodymyr for this," she said.
Some people prayed at seven Madonna icons displayed to the public, while others followed a ceremonial procession that carried icons of St. Volodymyr through the crowd.
As the celebrations continued on Tuesday (July 28), Kiev residents braved the rain and made their way to St. Volodymyr cathedral for a prayer.
One of the believers who appeared at the steps of the cathedral, Oleksandr Martynyuk, said the adoption of Christianity was very good for the Medieval state.
"People are very happy that Christianity came to Ukraine, to Kievan Rus as it was that time. It gave a huge impulse, princes came, culture was more developed than ours and people became less aggressive that they were before," Martynyuk said.
Galyna, who also lives in Kiev, took inspiration from the pouring rain, comparing it to the ritual of Orthodox baptism.
"I congratulate all the Ukrainians and all other orthodox nationalities on the holiday of St. Volodymyr. The sky is sending us real heavenly baptism. I congratulate everyone (on the holiday), wish health, welfare to the country and prosperity," Galyna said as raindrops rolled down her umbrella.
Ukraine's capital was the first city on the territory of Kievan Rus to adopt Christianity. Its residents were baptised back in 988. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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