On December 20, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia led the work of the annual Diocesan Assembly of the City of Moscow in the Hall of Church Cathedrals of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. In his report, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church announced the main statistical data for the Moscow (city) diocese.
His Holiness informed us that as of mid-December 2024, 1,232 churches and chapels are operating in Moscow, that is, two more chapels than last year. The number of churches where worship is held at least once a week has increased from 554 to 557.
According to His Holiness, 119 temples have been commissioned since the start of the new temple construction program in 2010, two more temples are awaiting completion of this procedure; 41 temples are under construction. Thus, 164 churches have been commissioned or are at different stages of construction. In addition, 17 more facilities, including 14 temples, were built outside the framework of the program.
The clergy of Moscow consists of 28 bishops, 1,450 priests and 407 deacons — that is, a total of 1,885 clergy, which is six less than a year ago. The number of clergy of the Mother See has reached a stable number, and the replenishment of the clergy is equivalent to the loss of the clergy. This year, His Holiness the Patriarch has performed 23 presbyterian and one diaconal ordination. On behalf of His Holiness, the Right Reverend vicars performed two presbyterian and 12 deaconess ordinations.
There are 36 monasteries under the Patriarchal administration, including 17 monasteries for men and 19 for women, with 1089 inhabitants (five more than last year) and 1026 inhabitants (as in the previous year).
His Holiness informed the names of the Most Reverend archpastors, as well as clerics of the Moscow (city) diocese, residents and residents of Stavropol monasteries, who had reposed to the Lord since the last diocesan meeting.
The participants of the Diocesan Assembly sang "Eternal Memory" to the deceased.