KYIV: President Victor Yushchenko together with his wife Kateryna Yushchenko and his children took part in a festive service on the occasion of Independence Day. The service took place in Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and was conducted by representatives of different religious creeds.

The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church was represented by its Worldwide Primate, His Beatitude, the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Meofdiy.

Other participants of the event were Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk, ministers, state deputies, representatives of local authorities.

The tradition of holding an Independence Day service was established by President Yushchenko.

Also during the day, following the service in St. Sophia Cathedral, the President of Ukraine, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces viewed a military parade on Independence Square (the Maidan), arranged on the occasion of Independence Day.

Overall 3,5 thousand military men marched Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv along with 144 units of military vehicles, 22 planes and 8 helicopters on display.

President Yushchenko also received many congratulatory letters on the occasion of Independence Day.

President George Bush of the USA in his letter said that Ukraine has achieved much progress in last few years and continues to strengthen democracy and the supremacy of law.

President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia wished in his letter stability and welfare to Ukraine.

Geetings swere also sent by President Heinz Fischer of Austria, King of the Belgians Albert II, President Pratibha Patil of India, President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Laszlo Solyom of Hungary, President Stjepan Mesic of Croatia, President Islom Karimov of Uzbekistan, President Vladimir Voronin of Moldova, President Branko Crvenkovski of Macedonia, Governor-General of Australia Michael Jeffery, President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic, President Abdullah Gül of Turkey and others.

Sources:
Official Site of the President of Ukraine
Press Service of the UAOC-Ukraine