Khmelnytsky region authorities ban cross procession to Pochaiv Lavra

The cross procession from Kamianets-Podilskyi to Pochaiv in 2022. Photo: a screenshot of the UOJ’s video

The Defence Council of the Khmelnytskyi region has banned mass religious events on July 27-28 and August 19-25, 2023, including the traditional cross procession of the UOC believers from Kamianets-Podilskyi to the Pochaiv Lavra. As reported by 0382.ua, this was stated by the First Deputy Head of the Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Tiurin.

"It goes about a pilgrimage procession in large and small groups in the Khmelnytskyi region towards the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra," stressed the official.

He added that the regional authorities "also additionally recommended to the bodies of local self-government to conduct explanatory work in the areas under their jurisdiction regarding the necessity of strict compliance with the prohibition of holding such events".

According to Tiurin, the decision was made by the regional leaders "to avoid provocations and the use of such situations by Russians" for "the preservation of the life and health of our people".

As previously reported, the 250-kilometre cross procession from the Kamyanets-Podilskyi Eparchy to the Pochaiv Lavra has been held between the feasts of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God for over 180 years. In 2022, the local authorities and activists of the OCU tried to obstruct the procession, blocking the path through some settlements, closing wells in front of the pilgrims, shutting down grocery stores, and even using force against the believers.

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