Home page News
Solemn act devoted to Local Council of R…

Solemn act devoted to Local Council of Russian Orthodox Church and patriarchal enthronement at State Kremlin Palace

On January 31, 2019, a solemn act devoted to the 10th anniversary of the 2009 Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church and the enthronement of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, took place at the Grand Hall of the State Kremlin Palace with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

Present at the event were Primates and high delegations of Local Orthodox Churches who came to Moscow for the celebrations. Among them Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East and his delegation; Patriarch Irenaeus of Serbia and a delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church; Metropolitan Rostislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia and his delegation; Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada and his delegation; Metropolitan Daniel of Tokyo and All Japan and his delegation; a delegation of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria led by Metropolitan Theophilaktos of Tripoli; a delegation of the Georgian Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Andrea of Gori and Ateni; a delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Niphon of Târgovişte; a delegation of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Kipriyan of Stara Zagora; and a delegation of the Polish Orthodox Church led by Archbishop Abel of Lublin And Chelm.

There was also a delegation of the Armenian Apostolic Church led by Archbishop Yeznik; a delegation of the World Council of Churches led by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit; Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshuqur Pasha-zade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslim Board and chairman of the CIS Interreligious Council; and a delegation of Azerbaijan and a delegation of the People’s Republic of China.

Present in the Grand Hall were permanent members of the ROC Holy Synod representing metropolises and dioceses in Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and Belarus.

Among the participants in the solemn act were also President I. Dodon of Moldova; Russian Federal Assembly Speaker Ms. V. Matvienko, the State Duma Chairman V. Volodin; Russian Procurator-General Yu. Chaika; Moscow Mayor S. Sobyanin; Acting St. Petersburg Governor A. Beglov; as well as Presidential envoys in the federal constituent regions, high state official, episcopate and clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church, religious and pubic leaders, State Duma members, diplomats, scientists, cultural figures and numerous participants in the Christmas Educational Readings.

Patriarch Kirill and President Putin took seats in the first row. The gathering saw a documentary called “The Way” by producer E. Tukharelli.

Then the assembly was addressed by Vladimir Putin. He congratulated Patriarch Kirill on the 10th anniversary of his enthronement. He said that “the state will continue developing constructive partnership with the Church in all important areas, primarily, in educating the younger generation, safeguarding the cultural heritage and solving pressing social problems”.

He stated that Russia is facing today great historical tasks in the sphere of demography, social development, raising people’s quality of life, in the work to achieve a breakthrough in the economy, science and technology. “We are well aware of this: to reach new objectives it is important for us to preserve our identity, our unity and solidarity. These are built on the values which have been honoured in all times both by Orthodoxy and other traditional religions in Russia – charity, honesty, justice, care for our neighbours and families, respect for parents and children and, certainly, love of the Motherland, the president noted.

The common duty of the state, Church and society, he said, is to preserve and strengthen the spiritual-ethical and value foundation and hand it down to the youth. He expressed the hope that the Russian Orthodox Church will continue to be an effective peace-making force and support compatriots and people of Orthodox culture abroad. He gave a high value to the social and educational work of the Church, saying, “I know how much has been done in recent years to broaden the social service of the Church, how great and tireless is the work carried out in this area by church organizations uniting volunteers, benefactors and those who seek to help other people selflessly. This work is invaluable”.

The head of the state expressed special gratitude to His Holiness the Patriarch and the Church for the pastoral care of the Russian military. “Your sincere and heartfelt instructions help privates and officers to defend the Motherland with honour, inspiring them with confidence in their military power and moral rightfulness”, he added.

Mr. Putin also thanked His Holiness for continued attention to compatriots and support for communities abroad in strengthening confidence between countries and peoples and broadening humanitarian contacts. “This honest, immaculate service, which has been demonstrated by Patriarch Kirill, is an example of true love for the Motherland and our people, and the successes made in this field lay the foundation for developing the Church for decades ahead”, the Russian leader said with confidence.

“In conclusion, I would like to congratulate Patriarch Kirill once again on the auspicious date – the 10th anniversary of his enthronement. I wish Your Holiness fortitude, long life and new successes in your archpastoral work. May your prayers help preserve the Russian Orthodox Church and our Motherland’, the Russian president said in conclusion.

This was followed by Patriarch Kirill’s address to the participants in the solemn event.

It was followed by a festive concert. The performance was given at the State Kremlin Palace stage by a joint choir of the Russian Orthodox Church consisting of 700 singers, among then children’s, mixed and men’s choirs who serve singing in various churches and church centers. They sang compositions by D. Allemanov, V. Zinovyev, S. Rachmaninov, P. Chesnokov, Archimandrite Matfey, G. Sviridov, I. Dunayevsky, T. Khrennikov, S. Tulikov and A. Mikita.

After the concert, Patriarch Kirill addressed the participants in the solemn act, saying, “In conclusion of this remarkable evening and excellent concert, I would like to thank all the organizers, performers and all of you, my dear ones, for having been with me for these ten years. I hope you will continue to be with your Patriarch. Let us ask God that He may open for us a way to the future, which cannot but will have difficulties, to lead us to the goals that the Lord Himself points to for us all, His Church and our pious people. I thank you from my heart”.

After the solemn act, a reception took place at the Refectory Chambers of the Church of Christ the Saviour on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church and the enthronement of His Holiness Kirill

Patriarchal Press Service

DECR Communication Service

Share:
Congratulations of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the President of Turkey on his 70th birthday

26.02.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill's condolences in connection with the murder of the monks of the Ziquala Abo Monastery in Ethiopia

24.02.2024

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the XII Christmas Parliamentary Meetings at the Federation Council of the Russian Federation

23.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: Patriarch of Constantinople is not a free man

07.01.2024

Christmas Message from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus’

06.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill had phone conversation with Metropolitan Ioann of Belgorod and Stary Oskol

02.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill expresses condolences over deadly earthquake in northwest China

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on his re-election as President of Egypt

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill welcomes the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the decoration of the Church of St Sava in Belgrade

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presides over jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Patriarchal greetings on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Vienna and Austria

26.11.2023

Primate of Russian Church presents historic miracle-working Kazan Icon of the Mother of God to the faithful and celebrates Liturgy in the Kremlin Dormition Cathedral

04.11.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the participants of the World Conference of Compatriots Living Abroad

01.11.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill met with the Primate of the Assyrian Church of the East

31.10.2023

Metropolitan Hilarion: Many things in a person's life depend on faith

29.08.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Holy Spirit is the main treasure of the Christian soul

01.08.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: Holiness is a constant striving to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ

27.06.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: God does not want to condemn, but to save us

07.03.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Lord always grants to us the opportunity to display our talents

24.01.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Lord has imbued the waters of Jordan with his divine presence to wash away human sins

19.01.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: to repent means to change your way of life

17.01.2021

On commemoration day of St. Catherine, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk officiated at the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr In-the-Fields  the representation of the Orthodox Church in America

07.12.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: We can always show compassion for people

29.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates on commemoration day of St. Varlaam of Khutyn at the church of ‘Joy to All the Afflicted’ icon of the Mother of God

19.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: We should remember that the life of each human being is in the hands of God

06.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: For God there is nothing impossible

25.10.2020

Metropoplitan Hilarion: The cross which was an instrument of dishonourable execution becomes the symbol of salvation for millions of people

27.09.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: Eucharist is the wedding feast, to which Lord Jesus Christ invites each of us

13.09.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: Faith alone is not enough for salvation

30.08.2020

Page is available in the following languages
Feedback

Fields marked by * are mandatory required

Send a message
Рус Укр Eng Deu Ελλ Fra Ita Бълг ქარ Срп Rom عرب