"For Ukraine": Ecumenical Patriarch lit an unquenchable lamp in front of the miraculous image

Viktor Martynenko, a priest of the OCU from Novovolynsk, who is currently on the Holy Mountain, wrote about this on his Facebook page, reports Volyn.

"Abbot of Iveron, Fr Nathanael, told us how recently Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, while on Mount Athos, served the Liturgy in a small church near the Icon of the Gatekeeper. He served as a simple priest. The Patriarch wanted to perform that service himself – without co-ministers, in simple priestly vestments, together with the deacon.

The service was said to be particularly elevated, despite its external simplicity. I think the Patriarch himself also prayed in a special way then.

After the Liturgy, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presented an offer to the miraculous icon - a silver lamp. He noted that he brings this lamp as a gift to the mother of God for Ukraine, which is now being torn apart by the enemy, and asked the monks to burn this lamp unquenchable in front of the miraculous image.

Since then, an unquenchable lamp has been burning in front of the gatekeeper for our long-suffering Ukraine. If God and his most pure mother are with us, who is against us?" said the minister.