Christians unite to bring God’s Word onto the streets
Focus on Southern Ukraine

UKRAINE — As well as inviting Church leaders to meet at its offices (see previous story), the Southern Region branch of the Ukrainian Bible Society is taking steps to ensure that the commitment of Christians from all denominations to spreading God’s Word is made visible on the streets, too.

For the last three years, the Bible Society has invited Church leaders and their congregations to participate in a procession and time of prayer in the run-up to Easter. This year, on April 16, around 7,000 people paraded down the broad main street in Kherson holding leaves to represent palm branches. Their destination was the central square, where they gathered to pray for the town. Bible texts were also broadcast through loudspeakers. The participants included the mayor, with whom Regional Director Alexander Babiychuk has developed a close working relationship, and all his team. This event attracted extensive media coverage: the above photo appeared in a prominent position on page two of the local newspaper.

Photo: A procession of church leaders and members of various congregations walking down the main street in Kherson. Their purpose was to pray for the town [photo: Maxim Andrusskiy WR404/4 UKR06DJ-1]

Photo: Father Domian, the regional Ukrainian Orthodox Archbishop [photo: UBS/Dag Smemo WR404/4 UKR06DJ-139]

‘We can work together’, says Archbishop
Focus on Southern Ukraine

One of the Church leaders who participated in the procession organised by the Bible Society during Holy Week was Father Domian, the regional Ukrainian Orthodox Archbishop. Born into a Christian family in Russia, he finished his seminary training in 1959. Now aged 75, he has seen both good and bad times for the Church in Ukraine. Under Communist rule, practising religion brought many challenges, even dangers. His main church was used as a warehouse and it was difficult to serve his congregation. Now, though, he holds services twice a day.

In total, there are 47 Ukrainian Orthodox churches in the Kherson region, compared with just 25 in 1988.

Father Domian welcomes the fact that the Church is growing and Christians are working together. “God looks into our hearts,” he says. “The differences between Christians are just external. I’m confident that there are many believers in Kherson. We should focus on what unites us and realise that it is possible to work together. I think that it’s important for us to have a close spiritual relationship with the Bible Society.”