With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Nikander of Vladimir and Suzdal, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, co-served by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Lugansk and Alchevsk, on August 31, 2026, consecrated the church in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in the parish of St. Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg in the city of Lugansk and celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church.
The archpastors were co-served by the secretary of the Lugansk Diocese, Archpriest Andrey Zozulya, the rector of the church, Archpriest Sergiy Gutenko, and invited clergy.
After a special litany, a prayer was offered for Holy Russia.
At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Nikander addressed the participants of the celebration, who conveyed the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the ruling bishop, clergy and flock of the Lugansk diocese.
As a gift to the temple, Vladyka gave a particle of the relics of the holy Prince Gleb of Vladimir. Metropolitan Nikander presented the medal of the Holy Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, II degree, to the rector of the church, Archpriest Sergiy Gutenko.
In response, Metropolitan Panteleimon thanked His Eminence for his brotherly love and for the help of the Lugansk diocese.
At the end of the feast, the bishops presented episcopal diplomas to the parish workers.