At St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv a unique icon of the Blessed Theotokos – the patron saint of Ukrainian soldiers, briefly dubbed the Mother of God “Voinskaya” was consecrated. The patriarchal governor Metropolitan Epiphanius headed the blessing rite.
The event took place within the framework of the congress of military priests. This icon will become the spiritual symbol of all Ukrainian soldiers.
At the beginning of the congress, Patriarch Filaret prayed for Ukraine's independence and for its defenders who are at the frontline in the Donbass.
Participating in the prayer for Ukraine were military priests (chaplains) of the Orthodox Church Kyiv Patriarchate, which for the last two years stay at the frontline and provide systematical guidance to Ukrainian soldiers in combat units in the ATO zone, representatives of the leadership of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
The newly blessed icon will be solemnly carried by Ukrainian soldiers, veterans of fighting in Donbas, across the center of Kyiv during the annual religious procession of the UOC-KP on 28 July 2017 on the Day of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine.
Further the military clergy will visit military units with this icon the ATO zone and pray for the victory of Ukrainian weapons.