Bethlehem Flame of Peace arrives in Ukraine

KYIV - The Bethlehem Flame of Peace arrived in the Ukrainian capital from the Church of the Nativity of Christ, located at the place believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. The flame was carried from Bethlehem by various world scouting organizations and to Kyiv by members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization. A special ceremony was held on January 5 at St. Volodymyr Sobor. (Photos above show clergy officiating at the ceremony with Plast members in attendance.) The public was invited to come to the church to light their own candles from the flame and then take them home for the traditional Sviat Vechir dinner held on Christmas Eve. This is the second year that Plast members have brought the Flame of Peace from the borders of Ukraine to all major cities in the country. The flame is also taken to hospitals and orphanages. The flame is kept burning in churches through the feast of the Epiphany (January 19 according to the Julian calendar).

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 23, 2000, No. 4, Vol. LXVIII

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