A Metropolitan Pilgrimage to the Miraculous Icon “Hope of the Hopeless” Takes Place in Chernivtsi
On May 17, a Metropolitan pilgrimage took place at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Chernivtsi to the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Chernivtsi, “Hope of the Hopeless”. This annual pilgrimage, held on the third Saturday of May, was established in commemoration of the coronation of the icon by His Beatitude Sviatoslav four years ago.
The event was reported by the press service of the Chernivtsi Eparchy.
The pilgrimage began with the Akathist to the Mother of God, followed by a meeting of the pilgrims with the bishops and clergy of the metropolia.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Bishop Josafat Moschych of Chernivtsi, and concelebrated by Bishops Mykola Semenyshyn and Petro Holiney, together with clergy from the metropolia.
In his homily, Bishop Petro Holiney reflected on the figure of the Mother of God, noting that “no idea can give such hope as the risen Jesus Christ.”
“It is important for us, who have come to the feet of the ‘Hope of the Hopeless,’ to understand and feel the hope the Mother of God shows us,” Bishop Petro emphasized. “She gives us the assurance that even the clouds gathering around us, our personal trials, and the afflictions faced by our people and Church will not prevent us from maintaining our connection and faith in the Risen One.”
After the Liturgy, the clergy and pilgrims prayed a Moleben to the Mother of God, asking for much-needed blessings for Ukraine—especially for its defenders—and received a Jubilee indulgence.
Bishop Josafat Moschych expressed his gratitude to the bishops and priests who had come to Chernivtsi with their faithful to honor the Mother of God, glorified in the miraculous icon “Hope of the Hopeless”, and to join in prayer for her intercession and a just peace for long-suffering Ukraine.
The UGCC Department for Information
