Over one thousand people gathered to see Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill on the square of Kyiv Pecherska Lavra on Monday.
"We will pray for peace, for combating any hostility, that the life of Ukrainian people goes on peacefully under the protection of the Holy Mother, in Orthodox belief, godliness and purity," the patriarch said, addressing numerous believers and representatives of the clergy.
The patriarch noted he was glad to come to "the holy land of the city of Kyiv, Kyiv Pecherska Lavra, to come to the great sacred items of our land that are kept here, in this place."
Patriarch Kirill also said he was glad to bring to Ukraine a Loving Kindness icon, a supposedly miracle-working icon showing the Virgin Mary.
