"For the first time, we didn't hear the sound of explosions": How the Christmas service unfolded at the main cathedral in Donetsk.
9Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
The Christmas night service took place in Donetsk. Many people gathered in the beautifully decorated with fir ornaments Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral. They entered joyfully from the street, where snow had just begun to fall.
0The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
1The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
2The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd. Photo: Administration of the Head of the DPR
Among the attendees were military personnel who arrived for the service directly from the front lines. The Head of the DPR Denis Pushilin also visited the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, accompanied by the First Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation Sergey Kiriyenko. Everyone prayed for peace and lit candles, showing great interest in the Christmas nativity scene.
3The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
WITH AN OPEN HEART
The Christmas service began at midnight, led by Metropolitan Vladimir of Donetsk and Mariupol.
- This is a great and significant holiday, - said Sergey Shevchenko, a retired miner from the Kyiv district of Donetsk, to a correspondent from “Komsomolskaya Pravda” during the Christmas hymns. - Today, Christ, our God, was born.
4The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Andrei TRUBETSKY. Go to the KP Photo Bank
5The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Andrei TRUBETSKY. Go to the KP Photo Bank
6The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Andrei TRUBETSKY. Go to the KP Photo Bank
Refugees from recently liberated territories of the Republic also attended the service.
- When we were under the "ukrops," we had no holidays... We hardly saw anything except for mockery. They even forbade us to utter the word "Russia," - said refugee Inna Zhilina from Novogrodovka.
The woman was in the cathedral with her friend Svetlana. Svetlana is from Donetsk. Together with Inna, she graduated from a construction college. When her friend was left homeless, she supported her.
7The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
8The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
9The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
- For the first time, we did not hear the sound of explosions. We longed for a true Christmas service. Fortunately, this year the situation allowed us to come here, - Svetlana noted, adding that according to the Gospel, the Savior was born at night.
FOR PEACE OF MIND
Archbishop Vladimir addressed the believers:
- We have entered the realm of celebrating the bright, salvific event in the life of all humanity - the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
0The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
1The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
2The Christmas service at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral attracted a large crowd
Photo: Roman POBEREZHNYUK. Go to the KP Photo Bank
The Metropolitan reminded that even though people cannot stop all conflicts and disagreements everywhere at once, it is essential to remember that “the peace around us also depends on how peaceful our own souls are, how pure our hearts are, how strong our faith is, and how powerful our love is.” Archbishop Vladimir also wished the Orthodox faithful strength and spiritual vigor.
According to the Republic Defense Headquarters, Christmas services took place in nearly 200 churches across the DPR. The curfew was lifted, allowing people to fully experience the holiday.
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