At the start of the week, Patriarch Kirill visited the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery, where, on the feast day of St. Seraphim of Sarov, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and venerated the saint’s relics. In his sermon, the Primate highlighted the monastery’s importance in Russian history, saying that in nearby Sarov Soviet-era scientists developed the country’s nuclear “shield.” The Patriarch also visited the Holy St. “Kananavka” of the Most Holy Mother of God and met with participants of an Orthodox youth forum.

Patriarch Kirill also sent condolences to the families of those killed and injured on August 3 in a drone attack on the village of Arkhipo-Osipovka near Gelendzhik. He urged support for people affected by the tragedy and instructed clergy of the Novorossiysk Eparchy to provide pastoral care to the injured. Following services in Gelendzhik, Bishop Sergius of Novorossiysk and Gelendzhik served a memorial liturgy for the victims. After the service, the bishop visited the site of the tragedy, where clergy and local residents offered prayers, sang “Eternal Memory,” and laid flowers at the memorial. The eparchy announced that prayers for the repose of the dead and the healing of the injured would continue in local churches.

In Greece, fighting major wildfires continued. While conditions in the hardest-hit areas were gradually stabilizing, firefighters and rescue services continued to eliminate remaining fire hotspots. The Churches of Greece and Cyprus expressed support to those affected, the families of the deceased, and to firefighters and volunteers. Special prayers were held in temples for an end to the fires, for strength for those combating the blaze, and for people who have lost homes and property.

On August 2, several Local Orthodox Churches marked the feast day of the Holy Prophet Elijah, one of the most venerated Old Testament saints, known for zeal for the purity of faith, condemning idolatry, and performing miracles. According to tradition, Elijah was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot, and his image has become a symbol of faithfulness to God and spiritual steadfastness.

Worship services took place in many countries. In Moscow, believers attended a liturgy, a cross procession on Red Square, and a prayer service at the Lobnoye Mesto with the participation of more than 2,000 people. In North Macedonia, Ilinden joined remembrance of Elijah with national celebrations honoring participants of the 1903 uprising. In Georgia, the feast of “Ilioba” included remembrance of Prophet Elijah and reflections on the legacy of the late Patriarch Ilia II, described as the spiritual helmsman of the Georgian Church.

A notable celebration occurred in Australia in the underground Church dedicated to Prophet Elijah in Coober Pedy, created by Serbian Orthodox believers in the desert. The feast brought pilgrims from different regions of the country, and similar calls for faith, courage, and hope amid life’s trials were heard across the Churches.

During the Dormition Fast, a miraculous Hawaiian myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God—an Iveron icon—arrived in Bulgaria for the first time. In Sofia, it was welcomed by the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil. The icon then visited churches across the capital, the Rila Monastery, and other eparchies. Thousands of believers came to venerate the shrine. Patriarch Daniil called its arrival a great mercy and spiritual consolation for the people, emphasizing that miracles are meant to strengthen faith and lead a person toward inner transformation.