On February 1, 2026, the Russian Orthodox Church prayerfully marked the 17th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. On this occasion, prayers were served in all temples and monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church for the Head of the Church, who was elected to the Moscow Patriarchal Throne at the session of the Holy Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2009.

The central service was held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, where His Holiness Patriarch Kirill served the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy, dressed in the vestments of the throne and carrying a copy of the staff of Saint Peter. Upon arrival at the temple, the Patriarch venerated the relics of Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow.

A large number of hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches under the Moscow Patriarchate, participated in the Divine Liturgy: Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis from the Orthodox Church of Antioch, Bishop Stefan of Remesian from the Serbian Orthodox Church, Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemjatovsky) from the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, and Archpriest Daniel Andrejuk from the Orthodox Church in America. The sermon before Holy Communion was delivered by Metropolitan Constantine of Cairo and North Africa.

At the end of the divine service, Patriarch Kirill presented church decorations to hierarchs who had particularly distinguished themselves in their service and efforts for the good of the Holy Church. In his appropriate speech, His Holiness congratulated the congregation on the holiday and expressed his joy for the joint prayer and fraternal gathering, emphasizing the importance of the unity and responsibility of the Church before God and the people.

“Once again, my dear bishops, fathers, brothers and sisters, I congratulate you all on this day! I am glad that I have the opportunity to pray together with this multitude of archpastors. All this strengthens our unity and common understanding of the enormous responsibility before God and our people for the work that the Russian Orthodox Church is diligently carrying out today. Once again, I thank everyone who participated in today's service. May the Protection of the Most Pure Queen of Heaven be over our land, our Church and over all who faithfully and truly serve for the Glory of God,” said Patriarch Kirill.

Celebration on the occasion of the seventeenth anniversary of the enthronement of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Mr. Kirill continued with a ceremonial reception.

Source: Russian Orthodox Church

Translation and processing: Editorial team of the MCP portal