Thousands of Orthodox faithful took part in the Moscow-wide Cross Procession on Sept. 6, led by Patriarch Kirill. Following the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, participants walked approximately six kilometers along the capital’s embankments to the Novodevichy Convent.

The procession was led by the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, a reliquary containing a particle of the relics of St. Dmitry Donskoy, and the Icon of the Saints of Moscow. Bishops, clergy, monastics, young people, representatives of public organizations and students of theological schools—including seminarians from African countries—joined the event. A prayer service to the Moscow saints was held outside the Novodevichy Convent.

The tradition was revived in 2025 and is expected to continue annually.

Thousands gathered in Belgrade for the funeral of former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladić, who died in a United Nations detention facility in The Hague. Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia presided over the funeral service at the Church of St. Luke on Sept. 7.

Relatives, former military colleagues and officials from Serbia and Republika Srpska attended. Patriarch Porfirije called for prayers for Mladić and for all those who died during the war in Bosnia, stressing that the ultimate judgment of a person belongs to God.

Polish Orthodox communities marked the 100th anniversary of the return of the Lemko people to the Orthodox Church. The celebrations were held alongside the feast of Hieromartyr Maxim Gorlicki, one of the movement’s principal spiritual figures.

The central events took place in Gorlice, where a Divine Liturgy was celebrated at Holy Trinity Cathedral, followed by a procession with the saint’s relics. The anniversary year also included a pilgrimage to Holy Mount Jawor, an important site in the history of the Lemko return to Orthodoxy.

The spiritual heritage and contemporary role of monasticism were examined at several international conferences this week.

In Poland, the 27th annual gathering of monastics focused on Elder Ephraim of Philotheou, the Athonite ascetic who played a significant role in the revival of monastic life on Mount Athos and its development in North America.

In Serbia, representatives of the Serbian and Macedonian Orthodox Churches, along with theologians and researchers, met for an international conference examining the relationship between liturgy, theology and monastic practice.

Meanwhile, the Monastery of Bose in Italy is hosting the 32nd International Conference on Orthodox Spirituality, dedicated to St. Pachomius the Great, traditionally regarded as a founder of coenobitic monasticism. Participants are discussing the significance of the monastic tradition for the Church and society today.

Two international Orthodox youth gatherings took place during the week.

In Syria, the “I Am an Icon” (Ana Icon) meeting at the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George of Humeira brought young people together for worship, fellowship and discussions about digital technologies and artificial intelligence and their impact on human and spiritual life.

In Italy, around 100 young Orthodox Christians from more than 18 countries attended the first European Youth Congress of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. Under the theme “Quo Vadis, Orthodox Youth?”, participants discussed faith, church life and Christian witness in contemporary society.

Wildfires following an unusually hot summer continue to affect parts of Europe.

In Serbia, staff from the Šabac Diocese, local residents and firefighters extinguished a blaze in the forests surrounding Tronoša Monastery. The fire affected approximately 1,500 square meters.

In Greece, monks from monasteries near Konitsa spent 10 days helping firefighters and volunteers combat a major forest fire on Mount Trapezitsa. No monasteries or churches in the affected area were damaged.

Greece plans to allocate €1 million to preserve Orthodox religious sites, monuments and historical archives belonging to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The funding is intended for the restoration of icons, frescoes and mosaics, as well as the digitization of manuscripts and early printed books.

Meanwhile, restoration work at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is approaching completion. Archaeologists working at the site since 2022 have uncovered evidence of an ancient quarry, agricultural land, burials and early Christian structures. The restoration is being carried out with the participation of the Orthodox, Catholic and Armenian communities.

Authorities in North Macedonia have withdrawn a proposed optional comprehensive sex-education program for secondary schools and ordered a full review.

The decision followed public debate, including criticism from the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Bishop Jakov of Stobi called for the curriculum to be reconsidered, citing what he described as controversial provisions concerning gender and sexual rights.

The Education Ministry said the program would be reviewed “word by word” before authorities decide its future.

A relic of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy, discovered in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, has begun traveling to military churches and servicemen.

On Sept. 6, the reliquary was ceremonially brought to the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces and the following day to Rostov-on-Don. On Sept. 8, it was taken to the Saur-Mogila memorial complex in the Donetsk region.

Organizers plan to bring the relic to military units, hospitals, garrisons and military educational institutions.

Russian Orthodox dioceses also reported humanitarian assistance to communities affected by drone attacks and efforts to repair damaged churches.

In the Rostov region, parishes raised almost 189,000 rubles for residents of Aksai District whose homes were damaged. Sisters of mercy have also been assisting wounded people and hospital patients.

Several churches were reported damaged, including St. Nicholas Church in Tambov Region, the Healer Church in Zaporizhzhia Region and the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimythus in Novorossiysk. No parishioners or clergy were reported injured.