On the memory day of holy martyr Vladimir (Bogoiavlenskii), Metropolitan of Kiev and Galych, solemn divine services were performed within the walls of the Holy Dormition Kiev-Caves Lavra.

The Divine Liturgy in the Refectory Church of the Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves was led by metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, the rector of Kiev theological schools.

In the evening before, in the same church, His Grace Anthony performed the night vigil jointly with bishop Kliment (Clement) of Irpin, bishop of Manhattan and vicar of the East-American eparchy (the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad or the ROCA) Nicholas and the brethren of the monastery in holy orders.

Upon reading the Gospel, metropolitan Anthony conveyed the words of the sermon to the parish and numerous pilgrims and highlighted that “God Jesus Christ says to each of us that the heart is the most important thing defining our life. God loves, when it is responsive and open. The heart always guides to what the objective for a man is. A man can cheat the neighbours and deceive himself, but he can never deceive his heart.”

His Grace Anthony spoke about holy martyr Vladimir honored today, about his life and martyrdom which he suffered 99 years ago on that day being already an aged person. This denotes the heroic example that Vladimir has shown each of us.

In the end of the divine service, the prayer service (“moleben”) to holy martyr Vladimir was performed.

Photo by hierodeacon Peter (Abramov)

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