With the blessing of His Beatitude Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev and all of Ukraine, a Holy Image containing a particle from the Relics of Saint Gury (Karpov), Archbishop of Tauris, was handed down to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Parish in Hong Kong for the purpose of supplicatory veneration.
Saint Gury is renowned as one of the heavenly intercessors of China, Head of the Beijing Mission, who was first to endeavor with translation of the Holy Scripture and Orthodox liturgical literature into Chinese.
On November 16, the chairman of the External Church Relations Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Archimandrite Kirill (Govorun) led the Divine Liturgy at Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Church in Hong Kong. After its conclusion, Fr. Kirill read the letter sent by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Vladimir, for the occasion of the handover of a particle from the Holy Relics, and then solemnly entrusted the Icon of Saint Gury, painted in Kiev on the eve of his glorification, to the parish rector, Archpriest Dionisy Pozdynaev.
In his complimentary speech to the parish flock, Fr. Kirill stressed the symbolic relation of Saint Gury with China: According to his love for China, even after his repose, residing now at the foot of Lord of Glory’s Throne, Saint Gury through his Holy Relics wished to abide not only at the place of his repose but also at the place of his missionary service. In the subsequent address delivered by Archpriest Dionisy, he expressed deep gratitude to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Vladimir. He also noticed that the handover of a particle from the Relics of Saint Gury to Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Parish represents a unique and memorable event which allows us to feel the unity with the ecumenical fullness of the Church in its historical as well as geographical aspect.
The Holy Icon containing the particle of his Relics shall be exposed for veneration at Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Church.