“St Mary’s standing” in Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi outside seized temple

On 2 April 2025, on the evening of the Wednesday of the fifth week of Great Lent, a service known as “St Mary’s standing” was held in the square in front of the seized Cathedral of the Uncreated Image of Christ the Saviour (UOC) in the city of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, Cherkasy region, reports the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy.

“The spiritual feat of St Mary of Egypt finds its continuation in our time as the faithful expelled from their church stand before the Lord in humble prayer, whether in heat or cold, in sunshine, wind or rain,” the statement reads.

The Great Penitential Canon of St Andrew of Crete was read by Bishop Antony of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, a vicar of the Cherkasy Eparchy. He was concelebrated by the cathedral’s rector, Archpriest Ioann Nalapko, and the Korsun clergy.

At the end of the service, the bishop, in his sermon, urged the faithful not to fear the trials that had befallen them, to place their trust in God, and to live a careful spiritual life. He emphasised that any trials sent by the Lord should lead a person to repentance and foster spiritual growth.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi believers have been praying for 9 months outside the church seized by the OCU.