On the day of the celebration of the transfer of the relics of Saints Zosima, Savvati and Herman of Solovetsky, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Trinity Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Solovetsky Stavropol Monastery.
Before the service began, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church worshiped the relics of the venerable founders of the Solovetsky Monastery, which rest in the cathedral.
His Holiness was co-served by Metropolitan Gregory of the Resurrection, Metropolitan Nicander of Vladimir and Suzdal, Metropolitan Theognost of Kashira, Metropolitan Cornelius of Arkhangelsk and Kholmogorsky, archpastors of the Archdiocese of Arkhangelsk, Bishop Porfiry of the Solovetsky Monastery, the brethren of the monastery and the clergy of the monastery monasteries.
Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Alexander Tsybulsky, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region, representatives of federal and regional authorities, monastery residents and numerous pilgrims prayed at the service. The liturgical hymns were performed by the choir of the Solovetsky Monastery brethren under the direction of Monk Andronik (Pantak).
Hieromonk Seraphim (Lukanin), a resident of the Solovetsky Monastery, stands at the small entrance for his zealous service to the Holy Church He was awarded the right to wear a pectoral cross in gold. Special petitions were offered at the special litany, after which His Holiness the Patriarch read a prayer for Holy Russia.
After the Liturgy, Bishop Porfiry of Ozersk greeted the Primate of the Russian Church and presented him with an icon of the Cathedral of the New Martyrs of Solovetsky. As a gift to the monastery, His Holiness the Patriarch gave the image of the Most Holy Theotokos "It is worthy to eat," and presented the monastery's vicar with a commemorative panagia and a cross.
Then, glorification was performed at the relics of Saints Zosima, Savvati, and Herman of Solovetsky. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said a prayer and venerated the icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which was returned to the Solovetsky Monastery by decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Addressing the participants of the divine service, the Primate of the Russian Church called the present time a special period that opens up new opportunities for the spiritual strengthening of the people.
"Strengthening the spiritual foundations of a nation's life is the strongest and most effective investment in the strength of the state," His Holiness the Patriarch emphasized.
He called on the clergy, monastics and laity to work hard to preserve the faith and spiritual and moral education of the younger generation.
"It is important to make this time a time of accumulation of our strength, so that we do everything to further strengthen faith among the people, taking care of our own salvation, and people with children, especially about the spiritual state of the next generation," Patriarch Kirill said.
In conclusion, the Primate of the Russian Church wished that through the prayers of the saints who shone forth on Solovetsky land, the Lord would preserve Russia and its people.
All participants of the festive service were presented with icons of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God with the Patriarchal blessing.