On the weekend, the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church celebrated the feast of St. Vladimir the Great and the glory of baptism.

The holiday began with an all-night vigil in the Church of Saint Agapitus in the Holy Dormition-Kyiv Pechersk Lavra on Saturday evening, presided over by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphrius of Kiev and All Ukraine. Several more archbishops and clerics joined the Ukrainian presence, informs the Information and Education Department of the UPC.

The holy liturgy for the holiday was also celebrated in the Church of Saint Agapitus, one of the few churches in the Lavra still open to the canonical UPC amid the ongoing campaign of persecution of the Church in the country.

Metropolitan Onufri was once again joined by numerous archbishops and clerics. After reading the Gospel, His Beatitude addressed the faithful people with a sermon on the core of the Christian faith, which Saint Vladimir accepted.

"May the Lord help us to preserve the holy faith that was passed on to us by Prince Saint Vladimir." Those who keep the faith of Prince Vladimir are his spiritual children. "Only those who live like a prince after Baptism can be his children," said the Metropolitan.

He reminded that St. Vladimir was once cruel, but when he received Baptism, he became merciful, forgiving and helped orphans, widows, the elderly, the sick and all people in need.

"Such changes happened in Prince Vladimir thanks to the holy Orthodox faith." And with his prayers, may the Lord help us to lead a worthy life on earth, so that we become worthy to become heirs of eternal life in heaven in Christ Jesus our Lord!" wished Metropolitan Onufrij.

After the Liturgy, prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and mercy for the poor.

Congratulating everyone on the holiday, Metropolitan Onufrije encouraged everyone to follow the narrow and thorny path that leads to eternal life.

Source: orthochristian

Translated by LJ.P.