Department for External Church Relations
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Reception at the Church of Christ the Saviour on the occasion of the centenary of the restoration of the Patriarchate
December 4, 2017, a grand reception devoted to the centenary of the restoration of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church took place at the refectory chambers of the Cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour.
The event was attended by Primates and heads of the delegations of the Local Orthodox Churches and other guests, as well as Russian Orthodox Church Holy Synod members and participants in the Bishops’ Council, which took place from November 29 to December 2 in Moscow.
Addressing the gathering, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill thanked the Primates of Local Orthodox Churches for their participation in the celebrations held on the occasion of the centenary of the restoration of the Patriarchate in the Russian Church. ‘There is nothing greater than this spiritual experience of sharing in unity, common prayer and common partaking of the Holy Cup’, His Holiness stressed.
He also thanked His Beatitude Theodoros, Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, for presiding over the Liturgy at the Church of Christ the Saviour on the Day of the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God to the Temple and the centenary of the enthronement of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow.
‘Looking at you, we prayed for your enormous flock in all Africa and for your missionary efforts’, Patriarch Kirill noted.
‘We prayed for His Beatitude John, Patriarch of Antioch, mentally looking at the tragedy endured by the Syrian, Lebanese and Iraqi peoples’, he added.
‘May the Lord support all of us, Primates of Local Orthodox Churches, in our unity, in our communion and in our common service of the people of God, the Universal Orthodox Church and the whole world. Many good years!’ His Holiness said in conclusion.
His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, greeting Patriarch Kirill on behalf of the Primates and representatives of Local Orthodox Churches, said, ‘The restoration of the Patriarchate in the holy Russian Church is a great event, a joy for all the Orthodox people, for all the Orthodox Churches’. Today’s celebrations, His Beatitude said, is ‘our witness to love, unity, peace and joy before the whole world’.
After the speeches a concert took place, in which the Choir of the Moscow regional diocesan clergy and the Kuban Cossack Choir took part.
In conclusion of the reception, His Holiness Kirill once again thanked all for their participation in the celebrations and invited them to attend the festive concert at the Kremlin.
Patriarchal Press Service
DECR Communication Service
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