Russian Orthodox Church In Ukraine Marks Christianization Of Kievan Rus

Tens of thousands of followers of the Russian Orthodox church in Ukraine held a cross-bearing procession in Kyiv. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which led the annual march on July 27, says it wants to promote Ukraine's ties with Russia. The event was held under tight security following previous threats of violence from Ukrainian nationalist groups, who support the rival Kyiv-based Orthodox patriarchate. They see the procession as a provocation by Moscow. Another procession will be held on July 28 by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, which says it wants to promote Ukrainian national unity. Both events mark the conversion of Kievan Rus, the forerunner of modern Ukraine and Russia, to Christianity.