Thousands of UOC believers took part in religious processions across Ukraine

On July 5–6, 2025, believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held large-scale religious processions in various regions of Ukraine — in Cherkasy, Bukovina, and Odesa Oblasts. Bishops, clergy, and thousands of pilgrims took part in prayers and services, united in prayer for peace, faith, and the preservation of the Church. This was reported on the official pages of the Cherkasy, Odesa, and Chernivtsi-Bukovyna eparchies of the UOC.

On July 6, a solemn hierarchical liturgy and procession took place in the village of Holovkivka, Chyhyryn district, Cherkasy Oblast, in honor of the veneration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God — one of the main relics of the St. John the Theologian Church. The liturgy was led by Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy and Kaniv, together with the auxiliary bishops — Bishop Ioann of Zolotonosha, Bishop Anthony of Korsun-Shevchenkove, and numerous clergy.

During the service, special prayers were offered for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is under persecution. After the Liturgy, a procession with the Vladimir Icon took place, and Metropolitan Theodosius addressed the faithful with words of support.

On the same day, July 6, believers walked in procession to the Holy Intercession Monastery for Men in the village of Marynivka, Odesa Oblast. About ten thousand pilgrims covered a distance of 10 km, singing church hymns. At the monastery gates, they were met by Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail, accompanied by UOC bishops.

The procession was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the monastery and the commemoration day of the miraculous Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God. The festive Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Agafangel, together with Metropolitans Filaret, Barsonofy, Viktor, Archbishop Sylvester, and auxiliary bishops. After the service, a ceremonial procession took place around the monastery.

In the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna eparchy, more than five thousand believers joined the traditional religious procession from Chernivtsi to the St. John Monastery in the village of Khreshchatyk. Over two days, July 5–6, pilgrims walked nearly 50 kilometers. Many youth groups were among the column, singing the spiritual hymn “Faith eternal, faith glorious” along with prayers.

Pilgrims arrived at the monastery before the all-night vigil on the eve of the Nativity of John the Baptist. The service was led by Metropolitan Serhii of Ternopil, together with Metropolitan Meletii of Chernivtsi, Metropolitan Eusevii, Bishops Mykyta and Job. Many of the walkers stayed overnight in tents at the monastery. The next day, Metropolitan Serhii celebrated the festive Liturgy.

Earlier, it was reported that the deputy head of the Synodal Department of the Russian Orthodox Church for Church–Society and Media Relations, Vakhtang Kipshidze, criticized the actions of Moldovan police toward Orthodox believers in Chișinău who participated in a religious procession in defense of traditional values. At that time, Moldovan law enforcement officers beat believers who took to the streets of the capital of Moldova in protest against a gay parade taking place in the city. Kipshidze stated that “gender ideology, which is being imposed on Moldovan society, is destroying the nation’s spiritual heritage.”