The Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Kirill on May 14th brought together to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow a diverse set of the people: clergy and laity, bishops, priests, top government officials, politicians, lawmakers, artists, musicians etc., including a large group of Scouts. And His Holiness the Patriarch in his sermon understandably placed a special emphasis on the Christian Church:

…When we say the Church we do not mean just the clergy; no, we mean all her members, saints and sinners alike, all those who, through repentance and the holy sacraments, pursue salvation and follow the difficult path to it… Since ancient times she was called the Church Militant. Militant against sin, militant against false teachings, goals and ideas that can destroy a human soul. …The Church humbly carries her ministry through the millennia and never steps aside, because the Holy Spirit lives and works within her.

There are numerous obstacles today before the work of God, the work that the Lord has entrusted to His followers. We all know how false teachers appear from time to time, how they try to lead astray our mind, away from the Lord and Savior. But, nevertheless, we can and must confess that divine truth is really present in the human race, through the message that the Lord has handed over to His Church, the message that the Church, having received from Christ, transmits to all mankind.

May God grant that this mission of the Church may never be cut short, that no false doctrine, no false ideals may lead people astray from Jesus... May God grant that we worship Him worship him in spirit and in truth - just as He said, Jn..4:24, - following His commandments. And we cannot call ourselves Orthodox Christians unless we respond to His call, unless we do not do our duty to our neighbors....

And what is our duty, what is required of us? We are required to abide in His truth, to keep faith in the Lord and Savior and to follow His will. Then we will be true worshipers and disciples of the Savior, who need not pray in Jerusalem or on Mount Garizim, but abide in the Church of God and thus have a true relationship with the Lord. And may He help us keep our faith, strengthen the unity of our Holy Church and inspire our people to the sacrifice of love. Amen!

Please watch the full video recording of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy and sermon (2 ½ hours total) :