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Putin, Yanukovich to take part in Navy Day events in Sevastopol

Putin is expected to visit the Saint Vladimir Cathedral in Chersonesus Taurica

KIEV, July 28 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the Navy Day celebrations in Sevastopol on Sunday.

The Russian president, who visited Kiev on Saturday to attend the celebration of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, together with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich will arrive in Sevastopol for the celebration of Russian Navy Day and Ukraine’s Navy Day.

Putin is expected to visit the Saint Vladimir Cathedral in Chersonesus Taurica.

July 28 in the church calendar is devoted to Saint Vladimir the Great - Baptist of Rus, and in this connection the celebrations will be held at the Saint Vladimir Cathedral in Sevastopol’s suburb. The cathedral’s head Archpriest Sergei Halyuta said in an interview with Itar-Tass that the Divine Liturgy and the consecration ceremony of Ukraine’s largest 13-tonne bell will be held in the cathedral. It was cast in a Donetsk enterprise specifically for the belfry of the church. There is an inscription on the bell reading: “From the grateful descendants of St. Prince Vladimir Equal to the Apostles.”

Presumably, there was a church at the site of the current cathedral where Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavich the Great was baptised in 988. This event is mentioned in the “Tale of Bygone Years,” compiled by Nestor the Chronicler. In 1827, during archaeological excavations the remains of the foundation of the cruciform design church were discovered. In 1850, at the request of the Archbishop of Kherson and Tauride the Saint Vladimir's Cloister was founded at this place, and in August 1861, the foundation of the cathedral was laid in the presence of Emperor Alexander II.

After the ceremony at the Saint Vladimir Cathedral the events will move to the Bay of Sevastopol where the state, naval flags will be hoisted in a festive ceremony on ships, boats and vessels on the occasion of Russian Navy Day and Ukraine’s Navy Day.

The press service of the Russian Black Sea Fleet reported that a parade of ships of the two navies and a military sports festival, including the show of 15 episodes, including the historical part, a theatrical performance and demonstration of the fleets’ capabilities in the fulfilment of different tasks will take place in the inner harbour of the Bay of Sevastopol.

The demonstration events will involve warships of the main classes, Marine Corps units, divers of the Naval school, as well as on-stage performance groups of the Black Sea Fleet.

Warships Russia and Ukraine with an exhibition of arms and military equipment of coastal forces will be open in the second half of the day at Sevastopol’s passenger ship terminal for residents and guests of Sevastopol. A festive concert of artists from Russia will be given at the Seaside Boulevard of the city, and in the evening a gala concert of Russian and Ukrainian singers will begin in Admiral Nakhimov Square. The Navy Day celebrations will be crowned with water fountains, an artillery salute and panoramic fireworks over the water area of the Bay· of ·Sevastopol.