Hundreds of UOC faithful set out from Kamianets-Podilskyi on a pilgrimage to Pochaiv Lavra

On August 19, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the traditional multi-day cross procession from the Kamianets-Podilskyi Cathedral to the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra began. Hundreds of pilgrims are taking part in the prayerful journey, walking about 250 kilometers to arrive at the Lavra on the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to the Union of Orthodox Journalists.

The pilgrims received the blessing of the clergy of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and, after the Divine Liturgy, set out on their way. In the village of Dovzhok, on the outskirts of Kamianets-Podilskyi, two groups of faithful united near the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the traditional starting point of the Great Cross Procession, while the previous stages are considered preparatory.

Unlike in previous years, this time the procession began without a festive prayer service by the church walls. Organizers explained that they opted for a more modest beginning, after which the participants continued their pilgrimage towards Pochaiv without long pauses.

It should be noted that the Vinnytsia Diocese earlier announced that this year the annual cross procession from the Brailiv Monastery to the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra, traditionally held on the Dormition feast, will not take place.