Both the Orthodox and the Catholic Church will celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary on Sunday, the 8th of September. This year, the Churches will also celebrate the day together by organizing a procession from the Uspenski Cathedral (Kanavakatu 1) to St. Henry’s Cathedral (Pyhän Henrikin aukio 1).
The idea for the event arose in the spring of 2024 during a meeting between Bishop Raimo Goyarrola (Catholic Church in Finland) and Archbishop Leo (Orthodox Church of Finland), and it is hoped that this will become an annual tradition.
Bishop Raimo reminds us that even in ordinary families the mother’s birthday is a much anticipated occasion and celebrated with love. “Similarly, the Virgin Mary, chosen as the Mother of Jesus, is honored with a heavenly celebration. As Catholic Christians, we want to join in this celebration and organize a beautiful procession together with our Orthodox sisters and brothers, and with all who wish to honor and thank the Mother of our Savior Jesus Christ for her faithfulness to God and for her continued intercession for us. Thus, this first Orthodox-Catholic procession expresses the deep love of children for their Mother—children who need protection and courage in this complex world, so that, like Mary, we may share the Good News of Jesus with everyone around us.”
Archbishop Leo notes that the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary reminds us of the wonder of God’s plan of salvation: “This joint procession from the Uspenski Cathedral to St. Henry’s Cathedral symbolizes the connection between our Churches and our shared reverence for the Mother of God, through whom the Word of God became flesh. This mystery unites us all in Christ. The procession is therefore also a beautiful demonstration of ecumenical cooperation, and I hope it will strengthen the mutual understanding and friendship between Eastern and Western Christians in Finland.”
The event will begin at 14.00 with a prayer service at the Uspenski Cathedral for the Kozelshchyna icon of the Mother of God. The procession towards St. Henry’s Cathedral will start at 14.30, led by Bishop Raimo (Catholic) and Bishop Sergei (Orthodox). During the procession the Catholic choir will be directed by Dominican Brother Marie-Augustin Laurent-Huyghues-Beaufond OP, and the Orthodox choir by cantor Larissa Qvintus-Petsalo.
Accompanying the procession from Cathedral to Cathedral will be a copy of the Kozelshchyna wonderworking icon of the Mother of God, one of the spiritual treasures of the Uspenski Cathedral, as well as a Catholic statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Participants in the procession are invited to bring their own icons of the Virgin Mary to carry along the route.
A short Catholic prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours will be held at St. Henry’s Cathedral at around 15:30. After this, Bishop Raimo and Bishop Sergei will jointly bless the faithful present and lead the participants of the procession to a coffee reception in the parish hall.
A warm welcome to everyone!