On October 16, His Holiness Kirill, patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, administered the rite of consecration of St. Michael Archangel cathedral in the city of Archangelsk, Russian seaport of the White Sea.

Thereafter the Primate if the Russian Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral, participating were throngs of local and visiting clergy and laity, provincial officials, contributors and sponsors, public figures.

This is the largest church in the area. Its design capacity is about 3,000 people; the height of the edifice exceeds 200'.

Upon the service, at the meeting with the Governor of the province, Patriarch Kirill shared his impressions of the newly erected Cathedral:

"I have travelled much through the northern regions of our land, and I must say that this church, if I may say so, is the cathedral of the entire Russian North. There are no other such impressive, majestic church buildings along this entire Northern Seaway. The revival and the building of churches is going on everywhere, and it is amazing how the church life is developing, but the cathedral in Arkhangelsk is, of course, the flagship of the entire North.

God grant that the city of Arkhangelsk may retain its flagship status, since it is indeed one of the oldest Russian cities in the North, and therefore has such a historical privilege and such a priority. But the city is still growing, and God grant that its growth will continue in all directions - both earthly and heavenly", - summed up the Patriarch.