KYIV, UKRAINE – An historic Christmas Liturgy – according to the Old Calendar – was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Dormition at the Lavra of Kyiv by Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv and all Ukraine.

The authorities of the country gave permission for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy following a request previously sent to the Ministry of Culture and Political Information of Ukraine.

Archbishop Poltava and Kremenchuk Fedir, Archbishop Hilarion of Rivne, Archbishop Vishhorod Agapit, Bishop Lugansk and Starobyl Lavrentiy co-celebrated with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, Ruslan Stephanchuk, the Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko, MPs, and other representatives of the government were present.

It is worth noting that the church was packed with the faithful and about 300 representatives of the local (Ukrainian) and international media who came to cover the historic event.

After the reading of the Gospel, Metropolitan Epiphaniy delivered the Christmas message. He also read a special prayer for the country which is at war, for the soldiers who are fighting, and for the repose of the souls of the fallen defenders of Ukraine.