Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia will officiate a festive open-air liturgy at Kiev Pechersk Lavra on Monday in memory of Prince Vladimir, who baptized Kievan Rus (Russia) 1020 years ago.
This event was a turning point in the Russia statehood, culture and education.
Celebrations are also held on Monday at an estate museum in Sevastopol, where the church font in which Prince Vladimir was baptized is held.
Kiev is the mother of R
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ussian cities.
Representatives of almost all Orthodox churches of the world gathered in the city.
Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine Vladimir will read the liturgy together with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople attended the celebrations in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday.
The president pins hope in the Constantinople Church for the national Church getting autonomy in Ukraine and being separate from the Moscow Patriarchate.
However, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has a broad autonomy since the 1990s.
At the same time, its head is a member of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Experts say that the Patriarch of Constantinople was persuaded to recognize the self-proclaimed Kiev Patriarchate of anathemized Filaret Denisenko and the Ukraine Autocephalic Church. Patriarch Bartholomew met during his visit only Metropolitan Vladimir, the head of the canonical Church. The establishment of a local Ukrainian church has not been announced.
Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia will officiate a festive open-air liturgy at Kiev Pechersk Lavra on Monday in memory of Prince Vladimir, who baptized Kievan Rus (Russia) 1020 years ago.
