The clergy of the Sea Cross Procession performed a prayer service in the waters of the Sochi seaport, during which a vessel with sacred objects on board approached the Khersones sailboat.

Members of the crew of the Khersones sailboat and cadets undergoing navigation practice on a sailboat met the crusaders, lined up on the starboard side of the frigate in full dress uniform. The confessor of the Sea Cross Procession, archpriest Mikhail Viktorov, blessed the participants of the training voyage. There were triple “Hooray!” in response.

The prayer service took place before the departure of the Cross Procession along the route that runs through such cities of the Russian Black Sea coast as Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Kerch, Feodosia, Yalta. The final point of the route will be the seaport of Sevastopol. Upon completion of the Sea Cross Procession, the sacred objects will be delivered to St. Vladimir's Cathedral of Khersones.

For reference:

The Sea Cross Procession to the day of the Baptism of Rus is held on the initiative of the public organization “Orthodox St. Petersburg”. In the cities along the route of the Cross Procession, divine services will be performed in front of the ark with the relics of the Holy Prince Vladimir equal to the Apostles, an icon with the relics of St. Kn. Alexander Nevsky and the lectern marching “Marine” icon of Alexander Nevsky.