VOLODYMYR-VOLYNSKYY. UOC Primate presided over solemnities on the occasion of the 850th anniversary of the Holy Dormition Cathedral

On May 10-11, the solemnities dedicated to 850^th anniversary of the Cathedral of  Holy Dormition were held in Volodymyr-Volynskyy. 

On Tuesday, May 11, commemoration of the Synaxis of All Saints of Volyn, Metropolitan Volodymyr and Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New-York conducted the Divine Liturgy in the square in front of the Dormition Cathedral.   

Concelebrating to the First Hierarchs were Metropolitan Nyfont of Lutsk and Volyn, Archbishops Mark of Khust and Vynohradiv, Metrophanes of Bila Tserrkva and Bohuslav, Varfolomit of Rivne and Ostroh, Augustine of Lviv and Halych, Anatoliy of  Sarny and Polissya, Symeon of Vinnytsia and Mohyliov-Podilskyy, Theodor of Mukacheve and Uzhhorod, Bishops George of Siemiatycze (Orthodox Church of Poland), Meletiy of Khotyn, Nykodym of Volodymyr-Volynskyy and Kovel, Volodymyr of Shepetivka and Slavuta, Alexander of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyy, Panteleimon of Vasylkiv, Joseph of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, host of clergy of the Diocese of Volodymyr-Volynskyy. 

Before the beginning of the divine service His Beatitude blessed memorial cross and a monument to Prince Mstislav, who built this cathedral, as well as to Princes Danylo of Halych, Vasylko, Volodymyr and Princess Anna, installed in the cathedral territory on the occasion of the jubilee. 

Upon the service, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church conducted the sacred procession to the chapel of All Saints of Volyn, which he sprinkled with holy water after the repair works performed. 

Then in the square in front of the cathedral the prayer service was conducted, following which  the ruling bishop of the diocese of Volyn His Grace Nykodym greeted His Beatitude Volodymyr on the anniversary of the Cathedral and gifted His Beatitude the icon of Resurrection of Christ as a keepsake of this event. Also His Grace Nykodym greeted His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of New-York on his arrival to Volyn, who is the native of this region, and gave him a present of an icon of the Venerable Amphilochius of Pochayiv with a piece of his honorable relics. Besides, each hierarch was marked with the jubilee medal of the Diocese of Volodymyr-Volynskyy dedicated to the 850^th anniversary of the Holy Dormition Cathedral.     

Greeting the worshippers on the anniversary was also the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.  In his word his Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr said:   

"Historically every temple experienced what the whole nation did. It is difficult to imagine how many prayers have been lifted in the church these years, how many tears of joy and sorrow have been shed. All that is history testifying of mercy and goodness of God. May this church stand indestructible and remind our cold souls of the mercy of God to humanity, without which there is no truth and verity in the world.  May the Most Holy Theotokos, who has covered this church with her veil for so many years, remain the Intercessor and Cover of the history, present and future."  

The Volyn residents were also greeted by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.    

"Accept my most sincere greetings on the blessed jubilee of the 850^th anniversary of the cathedral foundation. I prayerfully wish you that the Protection Veil of the Most Holy Theotokos was always above this holy site", he said. 

Besides, Metropolitan Hilarion gifted the icon of the Holy Royal Martyrs as a memory of his visit to Volyn.   

Following the festive service the solemn Academy and concert were held at the city palace of culture. 

To the point. The Cathedral of Dormition of the Mother of God was built by Prince Mstislav Iziasloavovych in 1156-1160. He was buried in this very cathedral. This is the only church in the territory of Volyn which has remained till nowadays since the times of the ancient Rus.  

Full photo report is available at the website  FOTOLITOPYS