On the feast of the Lugansk Icon of the Mother of God, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Nikander of Vladimir and Suzdal, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Vladimir Cathedral in Lugansk.
The celebration of the Lugansk Icon of the Mother of God occupies a special place in the life of the Orthodox believers of Luhansk region. This day is popularly called "Lugansk Easter", because in the most difficult and tragic times, prayer in front of this image became a source of hope for people, helped them to stand up, preserve faith and not lose humanity in the face of trials. Numerous believers from all over Luhansk region came to the celebrations in the capital of the region.
During the Liturgy, His Eminence was concelebrated by the clergy of the Lugansk, Severodonetsk and Rovenkovo dioceses, as well as the clergy accompanying the bishops.
The church was attended by O.I. Chernousov, Acting head of the Administration of the head of the Luhansk People's Republic, D.S. Kolesnikov, Deputy Chairman of the People's Council of the LPR, Ya.V. Paschenko, head of Lugansk, representatives of state authorities and public organizations.
After a special litany, a prayer was offered for Holy Russia.
At the end of the Liturgy, glorification was performed in front of the venerated image of the Most Holy Theotokos. Then the bishops addressed the participants of the divine service with words of greeting.