July 24, 2008

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas has been invited by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to be part of a Patriarchal Delegation to Kiev, Ukraine to attend the festivities of the 1020th anniversary of the Christianization of Kievan Rus, which will take place from July 25-27, 2008.

His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I received an invitation to the celebration from His Holiness, Patriarch Alexei, and from President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko.

In addition to His All-Holiness, it is expected that delegations from throughout the Orthodox world including the Churches of Russia, Greece, Georgia, Albania and the Czech and Slovak Lands.

According to the RISU news service of the Ukraine, the schedule of events for the celebration beginning on Fri July 25, 2008 is as follows: (Please note previously the news service inaccurately indicated the events would begin on July 24, 2008)

25 July 2008

10.00 am - 11.00 am  ( 3:00 am - 4:00 am EST)— Solemn ceremony of meeting in Ukraine Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (Boryspil Airport).

Live broadcast on the channels Inter, 1+1, ICTV, First National, and 5, and other national and foreign tv channels. Channels have the possibility to receive the direct broadcast signal through the Ukrtelekom network.

11.30am - 12.00 pm (4:30 am - 5:00 am EST)— The president of Ukraine and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I visit the Kyivan Monastery of the Caves.

12.15 am - 12.45 am(5:15 am - 5:45 am EST) — Ceremony of placing flowers at the monument to Princess Olha, Cyril and Methodius, Andrew the First-called, and St. Volodymyr.

4.30 pm - 5.30 pm (9:30 am - 10:30 am EST) — The president of Ukraine and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I meet heads of the delegations of foreign churches (Secretariat of the President of Ukraine).

6:00 pm - 7.00 pm ( 11 am - 12:00 pm EST) — President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I take part in a vespers service at St. Sophia’s Cathedral on the occasion of the celebration in Ukraine of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus.

Live broadcast on the channels Inter, 1+1, ICTV, First National, and 5, and other national and foreign tv channels.

26 July 2008

11.00am - 1:15pm ( 4:00 am -6:15 am) — Ceremonial events at Sophia’s Square on the occasion of the celebration in Ukraine of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus.

Live broadcast on the channels Inter, 1+1, ICTV, First National, and 5, and other national and foreign tv channels (part I).

1.30 pm - 2.00 pm (6:30 am- 7:00 am EST) — Panakhyda (memorial service) for those who died in the famine of 1932-1933 with the participation of President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and representatives of Orthodox churches of the world will conduct the panakhyda.

Live broadcast on the channels Inter, 1+1, ICTV, First National, and 5, and other national and foreign tv channels (part II).

4:30 pm - 5.30 pm (9:30 am - 10:30 am EST) — Ceremonial opening of the gallery of portraits of noted activists of Ukraine, the presentation of jubilee coins and postal stamps (Center of Business and Cultural Cooperation, Ukrainian Home).

8.00 pm - 9:30 pm (1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST)— Ceremonial reception in the name of the president of Ukraine and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (national monument Sophia of Kyiv).

27 July 2008

8.30 am - 11.00am (1:30 am - 4:00 am EST) — Festive celebration near the Monument to St. Volodymyr on the occasion of the celebration in Ukraine of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus with the participation of President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and hierarchs and representatives of Orthodox churches of the world will conduct the Liturgy.

Live broadcast on the channels Inter, 1+1, ICTV, First National, and 5, and other national and foreign tv channels (part II).