Representative of Russian Orthodox Church Takes Part in Days of Russian Spiritual Culture in Serbia and Republika Srpska

DECR Communication Service, 19/06/2026

From 9^th to 12^th June 2026, a series of events took place in Serbia and the Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) as part of the Days of Russian Spiritual Culture.

The programme included concerts by the Patriarchal Choir of the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, an exhibition entitled “For the Peace of the Whole World,” prepared by the Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ to mark the 80^th birthday of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, as well as screenings of The Work of the Pastor documentary and concert performances by Russian musicians.

Taking part in the events was, among others, Mr P.V. Lebedev, head of the Office for Relations with Government Bodies of the Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media, website of the Department reports.

On 8^th June, a press conference was held at the Town Hall in Sremski Karlovci, marking the beginning of the Days of Russian Spiritual Culture. Taking part in the press conference were Mr Dražen Đurđić, Mayor of Sremski Karlovci; Ms S.A. Kondratyeva, Deputy General Director of ROSCONCERT and Director of the “Russian Seasons” Autonomous Non-Profit Organization; Archpriest Jovan Milanović, Rector of the Serbian Orthodox Seminary of Saint Arsenije in Sremski Karlovci; and Mr I.A. Yevalenko, Director of the Patriarchal Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The speakers pointed out the importance of the Days of Russian Spiritual Culture for strengthening spiritual and cultural ties between the peoples of Russia and Serbia and highlighted this year’s programme.

Later that day, Mr I.B. Tolkachev, choirmaster of the Patriarchal Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, gave a master class in choir singing for students of the St. Arsenije Seminary.

In the evening of 8^th June, the Patriarchal Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour gave a concert at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Sremski Karlovci. Among those in attendance were Mr Dražen Đurđić, Mayor of Sremski Karlovci; Archpriest Jovan Milanović, Rector of the St. Arsenije Seminary; as well as the clergy of the Diocese of Srem of the Serbian Orthodox Church, numerous guests and local parishioners.

On the following day, a concert of the Patriarchal Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour took place in the crypt of the Church of St. Sava in Belgrade. Bishop Dositej of Lipljan greeted performers, organizers and guests on behalf of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije. Among those who attended the concert was Grand Duke George Mikhailovich.

On 10^th June, the Patriarchal Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour performed at an official reception held in the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Serbia on the occasion of the Russia Day. Among the guests of honour were His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, Serbian senior statespersons and heads of the diplomatic missions accredited in Belgrade. Greeting the guests was Mr A.A. Botsan-Kharchenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Serbia.

That same day, a photo exhibition entitled “For the Peace of the Whole World” opened in the Russian House in Belgrade. The exhibition had been prepared by the Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ and the “Russian Seasons” Autonomous Non-Profit Organization to mark the 80^th birthday of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’. Opening the exhibition were Mr P.V. Lebedev of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media and Mr V.V. Charsky, Deputy Director of the Russian House in Belgrade.

After that, The Work of the Pastor documentary film telling about the ministry of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was shown in the concert hall of the Russian House in Belgrade. The film had been made by the SPAS TV channel.

On 11^th June, the Patriarchal Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour gave a concert in the Banski Dvor in Banja Luka (Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina).

On 12^th June, The Work of the Pastor documentary was shown and For the Peace of the Whole World photo exhibition was presented at the Museum of the Republika Srpska in Banja Luka. Taking part in the opening ceremony were Mr P.V. Lebedev and Mr Yu.V. Pichugin, head of the Banja Luka Branch of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among those in attendance were representatives of the mass media of the Republika Srpska and the clergy of the Diocese of Banja Luka of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Mr Lebedev showed the guests around the exhibition.

Later that day, in the square in front of the Church of Christ the Saviour in Banja Luka, a concert took place. It was given by the Ensemble of Young Soloists of the N. P. Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra and Nina Shatskaya, Merited Artist of the Russian Federation. Prior to the concert, Russian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina greeted all those present.

The Days of Russian Spiritual Culture are held abroad by the “Russian Seasons” Autonomous Non-Profit Organization under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Russian Orthodox Church. The programme traditionally includes concerts, exhibitions, film screenings and meetings aimed at providing foreign audience with an insight into the Russian spiritual and culture heritage and strengthening ties between nations.

Photo by “Russian Seasons” Press Service and Russia’s Embassy in Serbia