Two different processions: UOC-MP with Kirill and Tsar, UOC-KP and UAOC with icons and Ukrainian flags
During the procession of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate on July 27 in Kyiv, the participants carried portraits of Russian Patriarch Kirill and Nicholas II, the latter being venerated as a saint by the Moscow Church, Channel 24 reports. 20,000 believers took part in the event, according to the police. However, the UOC-MP has counted 250,000.
Today's 150,000-strong procession, led by the Primates of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, was different from the procession of the UOC-MP because of the Ukrainian symbols. Its participants, in addition to the icons, carried Ukrainian national flags. Now everyone is praying on St Volodymyr’s Hill for Ukraine, for peace and unity. President Poroshenko took part in the prayer.
As counted by Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs, 65,000 people participated in the religious procession in Kyiv.
According to the First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, around 65,000 believers are taking part in the religious procession for the One Local Church. 2,500 law enforcement officers are in charge of their safety and security.
“As of 13:00 Kyiv time, about 65,000 people took part in the religious procession. The situation is peaceful and under control. Like yesterday, units of explosive experts and dog handlers checked the procession route to prevent attacks and provocations. For the safety of citizens, the police, National Guard of Ukraine and subdivisions of the State Service of Ukraine for Emergency Situations are responsible,” said Serhiy Yarovyi.
He noted that the work of law-enforcement was to continue until the end of public events. This is reported by the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
