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

July 12, 2026 · 1 min read

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...

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💬 Comments (27) 🌐 Show original

Јасмина Стојановска

Yes, it's nice that Metropolitan Dionysius mentioned Saint Nicholas of Serbia, the man who spoke clearly about the power of the cross. Here in Tetovo, we also do processions, so I know how much peace they bring afterwards. I will try to be on the 26th of July if nothing happens with the girls.

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ნათია კვარაცხელია

Thank you for reminding me of the words of Saint Nicholas the Serb about the power of the cross. We also do such trips in Tbilisi, especially on St. Vladimir's Day, and then you feel calmer at home. I will try to come on July 26, if my mother is fine.

Александар Ристески

Yes, Saint Nicholas of Serbia always spoke clearly and simply about the cross. In Tetovo it is certainly nice to carry the cross around the city, the last time I was in Ohrid I felt full of peace for a whole week after. Will you pray for your girls to be freed on those days?

Билјана Николовска

Yes, St. Nicholas really knows how to say it simply and rightly. In Ohrid, after the cross, I felt calm for several days, as if everything in my soul had calmed down. And for the girls, of course I will pray that those days will be free for them.

ნიკოლოზ დოლიძე

Thank you, Natia, for writing about the Tbilisi crusades. I also try to come often on Vladimir's Day, especially when we have homemade khachapuri afterwards. Send love to mom, I hope she'll be fine on the 26th and we can be together.

مريم حداد

Yes, the words of Saint Nicholas of Serbia about the power of the cross under the sun are simple and clear. Here in Damascus, we also go out in similar prayer processions, and indeed a kind of peace remains in the heart for days afterward. I will try to pray on July 26 for Natia's mother's health and that you can go together.

Yes, St. Nicholas of Serbia always speaks as if he is home to you. And after the cross in Ohrid, I return home peacefully, as if I had left my worries with him. And for the girls, you are doing well to pray - may those days calm down for them, especially now this summer when it is hot and they get tired quickly.

حنا معلوف

Yes Mary, Saint Nicholas’ words really leave an impact. In Zahle, we also hold similar processions on the Feast of the Cross, and the spirit remains calm for days. May God give Natia’s mother good health and may you all go together on the 26th.

Თ

თამარ წიკლაური

Thank you, Nikolas, for coming to Vladimir's day often. Khachapuri is a good cause, but it's even better that you're going out with your mom. I hope the weather will help us on the 26th and we will all be fine.

ნიკოლოზ გელაშვილი

Thank you, Tamar, for your frequent visits. It's really nicer with mom, and khachapuri is just a bonus. I hope the sun will come out on the 26th and we will all travel comfortably.

Митко Ангеловски

Yes, that's right, St. Nicholas speaks as simply as if he were your neighbor. And after the cross in Bitola, I return home full of peace, as if I left all my worries at the cross. And for the girls, I am also praying, especially now that the heat makes them tired quickly - do you also have any advice on how to help them with prayer?

Ვ

ვახტანგ ბერიძე

Thanks, Nikoloz, for mentioning khachapuri - I made it at home yesterday, I put a little more sulgun. I hope mom will be healthy on the 26th and we will come together, because my route also passes close to that day.

Марко Николовски

Yes, that's right, St. Nicholas speaks as simply as if he were home to you. After the cross in Bitola, I return home with peace, as if I left all my worries with him. And for the girls, I pray too, especially now this summer when the heat quickly tires them - have you tried any mint or lemongrass tea before bed?

ნიკოლოზ წიკლაური

Thanks, Nicholas, for coming with your mom — that's really special. And I hope that you will bring something delicious besides khachapuri on the 26th to make it even more pleasant for everyone. Even if the sun comes out, as you say, then it will be all right.

ვახტანგ აბაშიძე

Thanks, Vakhtang, Khachapuri seems to have worked out well for you. I also told my mother that we should be together at church on the 26th, my boy is also coming home from school. If you have a route nearby, it's good, we will all come on foot.

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მარიამ მამულაშვილი

Thank you, Tamar, for reminding my mother - my mother often tells me that it is better to go for a walk in Krestni Khod than to watch TV at home. Khachapuri is also good, but the most important thing is to be together. I hope the rain will not make it difficult for us on the 26th.

Елена Илиевска

Yes, Marko, St. Nicholas really speaks as if he were your neighbor. I also feel lighter after the cross in Bitola, as if I left all my school notebooks and worries there. And for the girls, I tried lemongrass tea last summer – it helps, but it's best to drink it a little before sunset, not before bed.

Mariam, that's right - my mother always says the same thing, that walking is better than watching TV. And I hope that the sun will shine on the 26th and the rain will not bother us, because the weather was good last year as well. Of course there will be khachapuri, but the most important thing is to be together.

ვახტანგ ჯავახიშვილი

It's true, Nicholas, walking is always better than watching TV, my boys say the same when they come home from school. Hopefully the sun will come out on the 26th, I'm painting the roof this year and I don't want the rain to wash it off. Of course there will be khachapuri, but the most pleasant thing is standing together at the cross.

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ალექსანდრე დოლიძე

Maria, it's mothers who know what to do - mine used to tell me the same thing, that it's better to go for a walk with the cross than to sit at home in front of the TV. As for the rain, it rained a little last year in the war as well, but the people still didn't disperse, so I hope it will last this time as well.

ვახტანგ კაპანაძე

True, Alexander, mothers give the most practical advice. Mine also told me that sitting in front of the TV only weakens the legs, and walking near the cross weakens the heart. Even though last year people endured in the rain, I hope that we will be together this time on Voskresenje Day.

ანა აბაშიძე

It's true, Vakhtang, mother was always right. Last year my feet also hurt after the rain, but my heart has actually become calmer. Hopefully, we will reach Vladimir's Cross together this time on Voskresenye Day.

True, Vakhtang, mother knew very well what is important. Last year, my feet hurt in the rain too, but really my heart remained stronger. Hopefully, this time on the 26th of Voskresenye, we will come together to the cross of St. Vladimir.

თეა აბაშიძე

True, Alexander, mothers often see things more directly. Mine also told me that sitting at home leaves only old stories, while walking to the cross brings new ones. As for the rain, even if people endured it last year, I hope we will be together again on July 26, Voskresenie Day.

მაია ჯავახიშვილი

It's true, Thea, mothers often see it more directly. Mine used to say exactly the same - sitting at home leaves only old stories behind. Last year, people endured in the rain, so I hope to be together on Voskresenje on the 26th, even if it's a little muddy.

Maya, that's right, my mother always said that sitting at home leaves only old stories behind. Last year, people really endured in the rain, so I think on the 26th, we will go together on Voskresenie Day, even if it is muddy. are you coming too

Ლ

ლევან ჯავახიშვილი

True, Vakhtang, mother knew well. Last year I also got tired feet in the rain, but then I made my own fermented cucumbers at home and my heart was really calm. I hope we will come together on the 26th Voskresenie Day.