His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia arrived at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Stavropol Monastery on August 20, 2026.
At Solovki Airport, His Holiness was greeted by Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Conservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago, D.N. Chernyshenko, Bishop Porfiry of the Solovetsky Monastery, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region, A.V. Tsybulsky, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for the Conservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago, A.V. Gut.
Immediately upon arrival, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill visited the renovated building of Solovki Airport.
From the airport, the Primate went to the Solovetsky Monastery. At the Trinity Cathedral of the Solovetsky Monastery, His Holiness the Patriarch was met by the brethren of the monastery.
His Holiness venerated the relics of Saints Zosima, Savvati, and Herman of Solovetsky.
Then His Holiness Patriarch Kirill addressed the archpastors, the monastery's inhabitants, and the pilgrims:
"Your Eminences and Eminences, Venerable lords! Dear Bishop Abbot, Dear fathers, brothers and sisters!
I always set foot on Solovetsky land with a special feeling, because this land is holy. The land that absorbed the spiritual power of the ascetics and at the same time was stained with the blood of the New Martyrs and confessors of our Church.
As you know, God's Providence "turns even the worst human actions into good consequences" (St. Filaret (Drozdov). A lengthy catechism, Part 1, On the first member of the Creed). Such is the power of Divine Providence.
What terrible deeds have been committed on this earth, in this place! The spiritual beauty, strength, and symbol of the piety of Russian Orthodoxy were turned into a dungeon, and into one of the most terrifying dungeons on the globe. People here suffered from both the prison regime and the harsh climate. Many died.
First of all, of course, we cannot help but remember our bishops, pastors, priests, and monks who ended their lives here as martyrs. But indeed, God's Providence is that it turns even bad, bad human actions into good consequences. And we see how the Solovetsky Monastery has shone, how its ancient glory has returned to it, and how many, many pilgrims are visiting it again. They visit because they touch the spring of living water here (Jeremiah 17:13).
God grant that, first of all, the monastics, those whom the Lord has vouchsafed to carry out their obedience on this earth, realize their responsibility for the spiritual support of those who come here. That they also realize their responsibility for preserving the good traditions of monastic life in Solovki, so that the monastery, famous in the past for many great ascetics and good deeds, would continue to bear the fruits of the Orthodox faith and monastic feat.
God bless you all! Glad to see you all, brothers! God help you!"
On August 20-21, the Primate of the Russian Church will lead celebrations at the Solovetsky Monastery on the occasion of the memorial day of Saints Zosima, Savvati and Herman Solovetsky.