Special Easter Vigil broadcast on Suspilne. Khor Khreshchatyk performs the full Easter canon. 12 April 2026.
St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral (Kyiv, the oldest Orthodox cathedral of the 12th century) hosts on 12 April 2026 a special Easter Vigil performed by Khor Khreshchatyk. This is the most solemn Easter gathering in the Ukrainian Orthodox calendar and the second consecutive year that Khor Khreshchatyk performs in cathedral service format (previous — 2025). The vigil lasts 3 hours (from 23:00 to 02:00). Vigil programme: I. 'Stikhera on the Nail' (45 min — ancient pre-vigil address); II. 'Easter Canon' (90 min — main part, 9 songs with full akathist structure); III. 'Light-Bearing Kantos' (45 min — finale with consecration of Easter cakes). The liturgy is led by Patriarch of Kyiv and All Ukraine Svyatoslav, on the stage (ambo) Khor Khreshchatyk performs in 28-singer composition (full chamber size). The vigil broadcasts live on Suspilne First channel for all faithful who cannot physically come to the cathedral. The cathedral can host only 800 viewers (they receive tickets through parish office registration on 4 April). Vigil recording will be included in a special CD series 'Holy Days at St. Michael's' (8-CD set per year, release 2027), to be released by Mukha Records. All CD-set proceeds are transferred to the St. Michael's Monastery for restoration after partial damages of 2022-2023.
