Kyivan Patriarchate Stresses that Court Prohibition Does Not Apply to Religious Procession to Celebrate Baptism of Rus

In view of the court prohibition of actions of protest or support of Patriarch Kirill's visit in Kyiv, the press center of the Kyivan Patriarchate explains that the court prohibition cannot apply to the Religious Procession planned by the Kyivan Patriarchate for noon of July 28 from St. Volodymyr's Cathedral to the Prince Volodymyr Monument.

Representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) sress that "The religious procession is neither an action of protest nor an action of support of the visit of the Moscow patriarch and has nothing to do with the visit." The report of the UOC-KP says that the procession is to be conducted according to the decision of the Holy Synod of May 14, 2010, regarding the celebration of the Day of Baptism of Kyivan Rus by the church. In 2008 this holiday was added to the list of state holidays by Ukraine's president. The Kyivan Patriarchate in due time submitted to the Kyiv City State Administration all the necessary documents to organize the procession and received appropriate permits a month ago.

"The religious procession  organized by the Kyivan Patriarchate does not coincide either in time or space with the events to be held in Kyiv by the supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate. The public prayer of Patriarch Kirill near the monument to Prince Volodymyr will be held on July 27  whereas the events of UOC-KP will be held on July 28  when Patriarch of Moscow will visit the Kyiv Cave Monastery. Therefore, there are no legal or logical grounds to prohibit the religious procession or obstruct it on the part of anyone," notes the press service of the Kyiv Patriarchate.

At the same time, the Kyivan Patriarchate warns all who are going to participate in the procession against using symbols of political parties during the event. Only religious symbols and national state symbols in view of the state status of the holiday are to be allowed.