Message from Metropolitan Dionysius on the occasion of the upcoming Day of the Baptism of Rus'translated

Dear brothers and sisters!

The time of the annual religious procession in honor of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir and the remembrance of the Baptism of Rus' is approaching, in accordance with our long-standing Omsk custom.

This year our traditional Procession of the Cross will take place on July 26, Sunday, the eve of the day of remembrance of the Holy Baptist of Rus'.

Before calling you all to participate in it, let me remind you of the significance, effectiveness and necessity of Processions of the Cross in general.

About the necessity, effectiveness and, most importantly, the consequences of processions of the cross for the destinies of both individual people and entire nations, Saint Nicholas of Serbia, almost contemporary to us, of the same faith and native by Slavic blood, spoke very simply and clearly:

Conciliar prayers, which take place in the open air, under the sun - in the universal sanctuary created by the Creator Himself, are of great importance... We wear crosses, we ask God: Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Of all the signs we bear, the cross takes first place. For even on Christ’s Golgotha ​​he was given the power to cast out the unclean, to heal, to cleanse, to sanctify people and animals, human dwellings and houses. The people of God know about this, that’s why they call it...