On February 1, 2024, at the end of the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, celebrated by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in the concelebration of a host of bishops and clergy, a solemn reception was held in the Refectory Chambers of the cathedral church on the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness.
The hierarchs of the Church, deputies of the State Duma, and heads of regions of Russia made welcoming speeches at the reception.
In conclusion, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill addressed the participants of the reception with a speech in which, in particular, he noted:
"I thank God that I had the opportunity to be the ruling bishop of the Smolensk diocese for exactly 25 years, because there I saw the real Russia. Not bright showcases, but the city is modest in material terms, very damaged during the war, having neither minerals nor chernozems around. I think without these 25 years of my stay in the Smolensk diocese, which was considered one of the poorest in the Russian Church, I probably would not have been able to do something useful today, which I manage to do.
I thank God that He led me through this experience, although it was very, very difficult, especially in the difficult post-Soviet period. I keep in my heart the warmest, even in some sense joyful memories of my stay in Smolensk and, being the Patriarch, I maintain a very special spiritual connection with this city. I would very much like to visit Smolensk this year and pray with you at the cathedral.
In general, everyone has their own way of life. Sometimes it seems to us that we are being treated unfairly, incorrectly, not in the way we would like. But it is very important that each of us understand — now I am addressing primarily the clergy — that both the Patriarch and the metropolitans, bishops, priests, monks are governed from above, and therefore everything that is said and done about us must be accepted as the will of God. Without grumbling, without regret — surrendering himself into the hands of God. And if we do this, it will not only be good for us, but our Church will also live a healthy, energetic life, having in every pastor a devoted servant of the Lord."
Then, in the hall of the Supreme Church Council, a general congratulation of His Holiness on the anniversary of the elevation to the Patriarchal throne by the clergy of the city of Moscow took place.
Reverend vicars, deans of church districts, vicars and abbesses of Stavropol monasteries gathered in the hall.
On behalf of the audience, the Primate was greeted by the managing director of the Moscow Patriarchate, the first vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in Moscow, Metropolitan Gregory of the Resurrection.
"Your Holiness, Most Holy Vladyka, Merciful Father! 15 years ago, you became both the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the ruling bishop of the Moscow Diocese. We are all witnesses of the good, kind, grandiose changes that have taken place in the capital city on your initiative. This includes a huge number of new Orthodox churches, a large number of restored churches, and a huge number of events and good deeds that have been done," said, in particular, the first vicar of His Holiness.
Metropolitan Gregory also informed that an expert-class ultrasound diagnostic system had been purchased for St. Alexy's hospital in the capital.
As a gift to His Holiness, the audience handed over a list of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God.
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill addressed the audience with a reply:
"Your Eminences and Eminences, Mother abbesses, fathers, brothers and sisters!
The Moscow clergy is the Patriarch's most reliable support. He is primarily the diocesan bishop of Stolny grad, and his greatest efforts are aimed at ensuring that church life flourishes in the capital. Of course, the Patriarch cares about the whole Church, but proportionally, Moscow is the one with the most attention. Why? Yes, because the country is judged by the capital of any state. The entire Russian Orthodox Church is judged by church life in Moscow. And this is not from our vanity, but from the awareness of the enormous responsibility for how the pastoral work is carried out in the Mother See.
Of course, the number of churches is growing, various kinds of church services are being created, our monks are actively working, who make a special contribution to the spiritual life of the city, but nevertheless, we still have a lot of things that we should be concerned about today and what our efforts should be directed at. I have already said that huge areas of Moscow are practically dehumanized, and it is difficult to imagine what these areas would be, my dear ones, if temples were not built there by the grace of God. Our temples are also points of spiritual growth, but also a kind of aesthetic beginning in the modern districts of Moscow. Therefore, we will continue to build churches and do everything to strengthen the spiritual life of Muscovites. And all of you, of course, are directly responsible for this. You support the Patriarch, and everyone in their place does everything to strengthen the cause of God. Thank you very much."
In the Red Hall, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia received congratulations from the delegation of the Belarusian Exarchate headed by Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavsky.
"Bless, Your Holiness, to congratulate you and convey from the Belarusian land, from the entire exarchate, bishops, clergy, laity words of gratitude, love, prayers for you in your important responsible ministry. We remember you with love, we pray for you and hope for new meetings on the Belarusian land," Metropolitan Veniamin said.
In response, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noted:
"Belaya Rus has always played a very important, sometimes key role in history. The borderland is Russian, and the first blows have always been inflicted on your land, both military and spiritual. The Belarusian land has always offered heroic resistance, but I want to say that vigilance is needed even now — this is the geographical place where you work. Therefore, Vladyka, I have a special relationship with you personally and with the entire Belarusian episcopate. I trust you, I see how you work, and I thank you for it.
God grant that everything will continue to be the same, that Orthodoxy will strengthen on the Belarusian land, so that no attempts by the enemy of the human race and Holy Russia will shake the Belarusian land, bring sorrow to people, or penetrate like a cancerous tumor into the church body. I know that you are all faithful to the episcopal oath, but since you are at the very frontiers, I would like to say this once again. Precisely because you are at the turn, you are constantly in my memory, my thoughts, my prayers. May God grant all of us, my dear ones, to stand guard over Holy Orthodoxy, the spiritual unity of Holy Russia. And thank you, Metropolitan Vladyka, very much."
Later, in the Sergius Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was congratulated on the memorable date by the bishops who arrived in Moscow for the celebrations.
The Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia