His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to visit Japan

On 14-18 September 2012, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will visit Japan. The visit is timed to the centenary of the demise of St Nicholas of Japan, Equal-to-the-Apostles.

In Hakodate city Patriarch Kirill will visit the Church of the Resurrection. It was in this city that St Nicholas began his mission on the islands of Japan.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church will also visit Sendai, which had suffered from the last year devastating earthquake and tsunami, and will commemorate victims of that natural disaster. In Sendai Patriarch Kirill will celebrate a prayer service at the Cathedral of the Annunciation. Rectors of the Orthodox parishes from the areas damaged by the natural disaster will be given certificates for purchasing church utensils.

On Sunday, 16 September, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tokyo (Nikolai-do). Concelebrating with His Holiness will be the head of the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Daniel of Tokyo and All Japan. After the Liturgy, a solemn ceremony will be held to mark the centenary of the demise of St Nicholas of Japan.

Later, at the Yanaka Cemetery, a thanksgiving will be said at the burial place of St Nicholas of Japan. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill will say a requiem service at the graves of the Japanese hierarchs.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church will also visit the Tokyo Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Japanese version of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill’s book ‘Freedom and responsibility’ will be presented during this visit.

While on his visit to Japan, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will meet with the country’s leaders.

Source: mospat.ru