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Kiev police beef up security for events to mark Christianization of Kievan Rus

Ukraine has tightened security in downtown Kiev in the run-up to a solemn prayer service dedicated to celebrations to mark the 1030th anniversary of the Christianization of Kievan Rus

© EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

KIEV, July 27. /TASS/. Ukrainian police have tightened security in downtown Kiev in the run-up to a solemn prayer service and the Holy Cross Procession by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church dedicated to celebrations to mark the 1030th anniversary of the Christianization of Kievan Rus.

All major streets in the Ukrainian capital’s center were cordoned off in the morning. Local authorities said traffic in downtown Kiev would be closed from 11:00 to 16:30 local time.

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According to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, about 4,500 law enforcement officers will be on duty to maintain law and order during the celebrations. These include National Police officers and National Guard members, employees of the State Emergencies Service, canine handlers and bomb disposal experts. The Interior Ministry assured that law enforcement officials would be ready to respond to terrorist challenges and threats.

The celebrations will begin in the afternoon, with a prayer on St. Vladimir Hill in central Kiev. According to Bishop Kliment, it will be held "to thank God for the fact that our country has been sanctified by the light of the Christian faith for 1030 years." Taking part in the prayer service, which will be led by Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onufry, will be representatives of most local Orthodox churches from all over the world, politicians and ambassadors of Orthodox Christian countries.

After the prayer service, Metropolitan Onufry will lead the Holy Cross Procession from St. Vladimir Hill to Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves). A memorial service will be held to pay homage to those who lost their lives during the 2014 Maidan protests. The procession will end with an All-Night Vigil in Kiev’s Pechersk Lavra, and a solemn Divine Liturgy will be conducted the next morning on the square outside the monastery’s Holy Dormition Cathedral.

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