On February 1, 2024, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the 15th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. Enthronement refers to the solemn ceremony during which a newly elected bishop is raised to his cathedra. In the modern Orthodox Church, enthronement is carried out for both patriarchs and Heads of Local or Autonomous Churches holding the rank of metropolitan or archbishop. Traditionally, the enthronement of His Holiness the Patriarch is observed as a pan-Orthodox feast.
The enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill took place on February 1, 2009, in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The election of the head of the Russian Church occurred at the Local Council on January 27 of the same year.
The first enthronement of a patriarch in Moscow was in 1589, and the first to be raised to the patriarchal throne was St. Job. Later, the patriarchate was abolished by Emperor Peter I and reinstated only in 1917 by the decision of the All-Russian Local Council. Thus, Patriarch Kirill became the 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
According to the Moscow Patriarchate's website, this year, the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media, together with the patriarchal press service, has prepared a film dedicated to the 15th anniversary of Patriarch Kirill's enthronement. The premiere took place on January 24 during the plenary session of the 32nd International Christmas Readings. The film highlights the most significant events in the service of the Head of the Russian Church over these 15 years and provides statistical data on church life.
Photo: patriarchia.ru