Orthodox Churches

Patriarch Kirill celebrates thanksgiving in Hilandar Monastery

On June 6, 2013, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, accompanied by a large delegation of church and state officials, visited Hilandar Monastery. At the Hilandar Church of the Presentation of Our Lady, Holiness said a thanksgiving at the wonderworking Icon of Our Lady of the Three Hands.

His All-Holiness receives Patriarch Јohn of Antioch

Οn Saturday, June 1, 2013, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, together with members of the Holy and Sacred Synod and other Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne, welcomed His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch to the Phanar. Patriarch John of Antioch was making his first stop in his Irenic Visitations following his election last December.

Patriarch Kirill meets with members of the Mount Athos Epistasia

On June 4, 2013, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, during his stay on Mount Athos, met with members of the Epistasia, the executive body of Holy Mount Athos.

The Primate of the Russian Church was welcomed by Protoepistat Fr. Maxim and representatives of the Athonite monasteries. Among the welcoming party was also Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus, representative of the Patriarchate of Constantinople on Holy Mount Athos.

Patriarch Kirill arrives on Mount Athos

On June 4, 2013, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia arrived on Holy Mount Athos, accompanied by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, Bishop Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s administrative secretariat, and Schiarchimandrite Iliy (Nozdrin).

Among the welcoming part were Athos Governor Aristos Kasmiroglou, Presidential Envoy for the Russian Federation Central Region A. Beglov, and Chairman of the State Duma committee for the CIS and relations with compatriots, L. Slutsky.

Among those who met Patriarch Kirill were also Archbishop Feognost, abbot of St. Sergius’ Monastery of the Holy Trinity, V. Legoida, head of the synodal information department, Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice-chairman, Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, DECR secretary for inter-Orthodox relations, Protodeacon Vladimir Nazarkin, assistant to the DECR chairman, and M. Kuksov, head of the patriarchal personal secretariat.

Underwater Chapel to be build in Bulgaria

Near the Bulgarian resort of Primorsko an Orthodox underwater Chapel will appear in the coming days, reports Sedmitza.ru.

A local clergyman has already blessed the foundation of the construction, stone plinths, the cross, the candle stand, an Icon of St. Nicolas with a bronze frame, and a plate with engraving: "Za Raven Broi" (“May you make the same number of dives as surfaces" ).

Primate of the Russian Church celebrates prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki

Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the members of the official delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, Metropolitan Prokopios of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, and Metropolitan Nikodemos of Kassandreia went to the Cathedral of St. Gregory Palamas.

They were met by the local clerics in the cathedral filled with Orthodox Christians from different countries. Attending the service were also Minister Theodoros Karaoglou for Macedonia and Thrace, Russian Consul General to Thessaloniki A. Popov, and Mayor of Thessaloniki Yannis Boutaris.

After the prayer service, Metropolitan Anthimos greeted His Holiness Kirill and said that the Russian Church was the largest Orthodox Church and was spreading the word of God allover the world, thus continuing the apostolic mission of Ss Cyril and Methodius.