In the center of Kyiv, in front of the Maidan Self-Defense, the St. George procession took place (PHOTO, VIDEO)
Kiev, May 06 (Navigator, Vladimir Raichenko) – The St. George procession was held by representatives of the Orthodox community in the government quarter in full view of the Maidan Self-Defense and National Guard fighters, when a closed meeting was held in parliament on the situation in the south-eastern regions.
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The religious procession was held in honor of St. George the Victorious and in memory of the soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War, and was organized by the Union of Orthodox Brotherhoods of Ukraine.
Participants in the procession, many of whom had orange and black ribbons pinned to their chests, which became a symbol of the anti-Imaidan movement, walked around the monument to General Vatutin, whose troops liberated Kyiv, and then proceeded past the Verkhovna Rada. In their hands they held Orthodox icons, as well as coat of arms flags of the Russian Empire.
“We remain faithful to the choice of our ancestors and the Orthodox choice of Prince Vladimir,” one of the co-chairs of the Union of Orthodox Brotherhoods, Valentin Lukiyanik, told a Navigator correspondent. – We believe that the sacrifices made during the Great Patriotic War for the honor and independence of our Motherland were not in vain. And here in Kyiv, and in Ukraine and throughout Rus', truth and justice will reign, and all the evil that has come to our land will be defeated.”
Valenitin Lukiyanik also emphasized that they are not afraid to walk around Kyiv with St. George’s ribbons.
“It’s true, it’s more like a guards ribbon, but it’s our choice and our right, it’s been that way for years,” explained a representative of the Orthodox community. “But if we act otherwise, we will become traitors to our fathers and brothers.” And let the authorities say different things today, but nothing - they will leave, just as many other temporary authorities have left. God grant that this happens faster and that less blood is shed in Ukraine.”
The St. George's Day march took place in central Kyiv, in full view of the Maidan Self-Defense Forces (PHOTOS, VIDEO)