On the day of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, the celebrations of the Monastery’s dedication church’s day were performed in the Lavra. At the entrance to the Near Caves stands the ancient Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, where many saints of the Orthodox Church are buried. Among the great shrines there is a particle of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.

The all-night vigil in this church was performed by the Vicegerent of the Dormition Kiev-Caves Lavra Metropolitan Pavel, concelebrated by the brethren of the monastery. His Eminence also led the festive Lity and the Rite of the Exaltation of the Cross.

On the actual day of the feast, the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross was celebrated by the Holy-Archimandrite of the Monastery. His Beatitude Onuphrius, Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine, was joined in service by Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl,  other hierarchs, the brethren and guests of the Monastery in the holy rank, including representatives from Romanian and Japanese Orthodox Churches.

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During the Divine Service, the prayers for peace in Ukraine and Church unity were offered.

After the Great Entrance, Metropolitan Onuphrius performed the deacon’s consecration.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, in the center of the church, worship of the Cross of the Lord in the centre of the Church took place in the traditional manner. Thereafter, Metropolitan Onuphrius congratulated everyone on the Great Holiday once again, and called God’s blessing upon all the Faithful.

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