In St. Sofia
Cathedral, Kyiv, President Victor Yushchenko solemnly handed over Easter Flame
to representatives of Orthodox Church confessions and to delegates from Ukrainian regions. This
tradition had been established by President Yushchenko back in 2005.
“Let Easter
festival fill our hearts with pride of greatness of our native land, with
happiness about rejuvenation of Ukrainian nation, about the acquired liberty
and statehood. Let the Flame of Grace from the Holy Sepulchre protect our
families, homes and all Ukraine”,
- said Victor Yushchenko during the ceremony.
The
participants of the ceremony were Orthodox priesthood, representatives from Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic and Armenian Churches, leadership of the state,
Regional Administrations deputy-heads (who would bring the Flame of Graceto their
regions, state deputies, etc.
After the
event President is scheduled to visit festive liturgies in churches of four
Orthodox confessions: St
Volodymyr's Cathedral (Ukrainian
Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchate), Vasyl’s the Great Church (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church), Andriyvska Church (Ukrainian
Autocephalous Orthodox Church) and Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
