Primates of Georgia, Ukraine, and Russia meet

(UOC-MP) - On July 27, the eve of commemoration of the Holy and Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir, the Primates of the Russian, Georgian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches a prayer service at St Vladimir's Hill at the foot of the monument to the Baptizer of Rus.

Praying at S Vladimir's Hill also were the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, members of delegations of the Russian and Georgian churches, numerous clergy of the Diocese of Kyiv, residents and guests of Kyiv.

Attending on behalf of the authorities were: Deputy Head of the Administration of President of Ukraine Anna Herman, Council to the President of Ukraine Yuriy Bohutsky, people's deputies and other his officials.

The prayer service was accompanied by the chant of the choir of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary under the guidance of hegumen Roman (Pidlubnyaka).

Thereafter the Primates of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Russian orthodox Church exchanged congratulatory words.

"Now the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us in this city, to praise the Merciful God, His saint - Prince Vladimir, and raise our prayers to heaven. This place has gained its importance in honor of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus and since then we are going to raise the prayer of thanksgiving and praise. We thank you for coming to this celebration, the place is directly connected with the Baptism of Rus.

May the merciful Lord, the prayers of Prince Vladimir, keeps you in all your ways, in your chosen ministry. May the grace of the Holy Spirit win in our hearts over pride and misunderstanding. May the grace of God from now and forever strengthen all of us in the Orthodox faith - the faith of our fathers and forefathers, in faith, piety and salvation, "- said His Beatitude.

Then His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II and His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr venerated the icon of the Holy Prince Vladimir with a piece of his honorable relics.

Finally, the three primates of the Churches laid flowers at the foot of the monument to Prince Vladimir.