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The Christian Churches of Ukraine are getting ready to celebrate the 1020th anniversary of the Christianisation of the Ukrainian people, "one of history's epoch-making moments", as it was defined by the Catholic bishops, in a press release published yesterday. The Christianisation of the Ukrainian people dates back to 988 and was the result of the missionary work of the Church of Constantinople. The baptism of the Ukrainians - explains the Bishops - means "the entry of the Slavic peoples, that for centuries have lived on these lands, into the big Christian family of the East and West and at the same time into the big European family". "Looking at it from the perspective of these centuries of mutual respect and brotherhood on these lands - reads the release of the Ukrainian Bishops Conference -, we can see that the longing for this ecumenism and unity continues until today". "We deeply believe that this anniversary will make us more aware of our common heritage - concluded the Bishops - and that a new light will shine, that will dispel the darkness of the many difficult years of the past". The anniversary will be celebrated all over Ukraine on July 27th and the baptismal promises will be renewed in the Catholic Churches. For the occasion, the Orthodox Churches expect a visit from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, and the Patriarch of Moscow, Alexei II.
News by SIR