KIEV: June 13, 2007
Reception hosted by His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine on the day of the Holy Spirit (photo-report)

On May 27, the feast day of the Holy Spirit, Metropolitan Laurus, Metropolitan Onufry and the delegation of the Russian Church Abroad prayed during Divine Liturgy at the Far Caves of the Uspensky Kievo-Pecheraskaya Lavra, in the church containing the relics of Holy Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev. All the members of the delegation partook of the Holy Gifts. Then, His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir hosted a reception at his residence in honor of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus. He awarded his esteemed guest the Jubilee Order of the Holy Synod in honor of the 15 th anniversary of the Kharkov Council of Bishops. Vladyka Laurus thanked Metropolitan Vladimir for his invitation to visit the holy sites of Ukraine. In memory of "our joint prayer here, upon the Golgotha of Holy Hieromartyr Vladimir," he gave Vladyka Vladimir a crucifix and icon of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

After the reception, Metropolitan Laurus met with the press of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, telling of this day in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, shared his impressions on visiting the monasteries. His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus concluded his visit to Ukraine, appropriately, together with Metropolitan Onufry and the delegation, by walking upon the part of the road along which, 89 years ago, Holy Hieromartyr Vladimir walked towards his execution. The bishops and members of the delegation prostrated themselves before the cross indicating the site of his martyrdom, and prayed.