The Orthodox Parish of Helsinki and St Henry’s Cathedral Parish once again organised a procession in honour of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday, 6 September 2026. This was the third such procession, and this year the route led from the Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral to St Henry’s Cathedral. Hundreds of faithful from both Churches took part, together with many other ecumenical friends.
The event began at 2 p.m. in Uspenski Cathedral with a common prayer service before the Kozelshchyna Icon of the Mother of God. The participants then set out in procession towards St Henry’s Cathedral, carrying icons, statues and images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Along the way, hymns were sung and prayers offered as the procession passed through the Market Square and continued along the South Harbour waterfront. At the cathedral, a brief prayer service was held, at the conclusion of which Orthodox Archbishop Elia and Catholic Bishop Raimo gave their blessing. The event ended with coffee and refreshments shared together.
Next year’s procession will again take place on a Sunday close to 8 September, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the direction of the procession reversed.
A similar procession will be held in Kuopio on Sunday, 13 September. The procession will depart from the Catholic Church of St Joseph (Lönnrotinkatu 24) at 2 p.m. and proceed to the Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas (Sepänkatu 7), where an Akathist to the Mother of God will be celebrated. Afterwards, coffee and refreshments will be served in the parish hall.
Fides
Photos: Khrystyna Martyniuk, Vlada Wahlstén, Heikki Kymäläinen