In honor of venerable Barlaam, hegumen of the Caves, the solemn divine services were performed in the Lavra. Venerable Barlaam is one of the most honored saints of the Caves Monastery, and according to the established Lavra tradition, before the evening divine service, the venerable’s relics were transferred from the Near Caves, where they rest in peace, to the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross.

The all-night vigil and the lity, which began after the relics had been transferred to the Exaltation Church, were led by the Vicegerent of the Kyiv-Caves Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl, joined by the vicar of the Cherkassy eparchy, bishop John of Zolotonosha, the brethren and guests in priesthood.

During the divine service, His Eminence Pavel performed the monastic vows of the workers of the Monastery, giving them the name Abner and Abib.
On the feast day, in the same church, His Eminence Pavel celebrated the Divine Liturgy. His Eminence was assisted by the Dean of the Monastery, Archimandrite Anthony, the Rural Dean, Archimandrite Hilarion, brethren in the holy rite. Archbishop Panteleimon of Bucha also prayed at the altar.

During the Liturgy, the Vicegerent of the Lavra performed two ordinations of the inhabitants of the Monastery: hierodeacon Methodius to a hieromonk rite and monk Titus to a deacon rite.

After reading the Gospel at the Liturgy, Metropolitan Pavel addressed the parishioners and pilgrims with a sermon speech.

His Eminence spoke about the life and endeavor of venerable Barlaam as well as about the miracles that the saint performed during his life and which are performed through his prayers to this day: “Today we commemorate the great and joyous feast, the memory day of venerable Barlaam, hegumen of the Caves, the disciple of our venerable God-bearing father Anthony of the Caves. Saint Barlaam told the founder of the Caves Monastery that he wanted to stay here forever and glorify God. So he remained in this holy Monastery, because most of all he loved the deeds for Christ sake.”

In conclusion of the archpastoral speech, His Eminence Pavel called on to remember our mentors: “Both the citizens of Kyiv and all Ukrainians should be especially grateful to God for everything.

Every day, explicitly for us in the Caves and invisibly before the Throne of God, the lampads of faith and devotion shine.
Casting glance of our souls at the reverend Fathers of the Caves, we ask to preserve us in the Holy Conciliar and Apostolic Church and to strengthen us on the path of life, to glorify the Triune Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever! ”

At the end of the Liturgy, a prayer service was performed and a glorification at the receptacle with the relics of the venerable was sang, whereafter all the praying worshiped the relics of the saint, and His Eminence Pavel thanked the assisting brethren and all present in the Church for prayers, congratulated those who have accepted the Life-Giving Divine Body and Blood, hailed all present on the dedication feast of the Monastery. His Eminence also wished that through the prayers of venerable Barlaam, hegumen of the Caves, the Lord would strengthen everyone during the Christmas Fast, which is now offered to us by the Orthodox Church, and called God’s blessing on all.

After the late Liturgy, the holy relics of venerable Barlaam shall be solemnly transferred to the Near Caves.

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