With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, on August 31, 2026, the ark with the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt was brought to the Pskov land. The solemn reception of the relics at the gates of the Pskov Kremlin, a procession and a festive prayer service in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Pskov were led by Metropolitan Matthew of Pskov and Porkhovsky.
His Eminence was co-served by archimandrites and hegumens of diocesan monasteries, deans of church districts, heads of diocesan departments, rectors and clerics of churches of the Pskov Archdiocese. Festive hymns were performed by the Bishop's Choir conducted by Marina Vladimirtseva.
During the divine service, Archimandrite Andrey (Gkiokas), cleric of the Kerkyra Metropolitanate of the Greek Orthodox Church, abbesses of women's monasteries with sisters, brothers of diocesan monasteries, Alexander Sorokin, Minister of Education of the Pskov Region, Major General Viktor Shvyrev, head of the Federal Security Service for the Pskov Region, Sergey Nikolaev, Acting Rector of Pskov State University, representatives of the regional and city military personnel of the Pskov garrison, numerous parishioners and pilgrims.
At the end of the prayer service, Bishop Matthew addressed the participants of the divine service with an archpastoral address. In conclusion, the Metropolitan congratulated the audience on bringing the great shrine to the Pskov land and invited the worshippers to share the joy of prayer fellowship at the night Liturgy.