On the second anniversary of the beginning of the tragic events in the border areas of the Kursk region on August 6, 2026, memorial services are held in all churches and monasteries of the Kursk Metropolis for soldiers and civilians who fell during the defense and liberation of the Kursk region. At 12:00, bells rang in memory of the dead in all the operating churches. A commemorative event was held at the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious at the Arc de Triomphe in Kursk.
Clerics of the Kursk Diocese, representatives of government, public organizations, soldiers, residents of border areas, volunteers and caring Kuryans gathered to prayerfully remember innocent civilians and brave soldiers who gave their lives for faith and Fatherland.
The commemorative rally was opened by the Governor of the Kursk region, A.E. Khinshtein. The head of the region addressed the audience with words of support, stressing that the courage of the inhabitants of the border region and the solidarity of all Kuryans in the face of harsh trials have forever entered the history of the region, and the memory of innocent victims and heroic defenders will live forever.
Metropolitan Herman of Kursk and Rila celebrated a requiem mass for all the victims of the tragedy at the foundation stone of the future monument to "The Heroes who saved civilians from the aggression of the Armed Forces of Ukraine." During the divine service, special prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of the departed servants of God, whose lives were tragically cut short as a result of attacks on the border areas of the Kursk region.
At the end of the Litiya, the head of the Kursk Archdiocese addressed the audience.: "Dear brothers and sisters, Two years separate us from that terrible day when the Kursk land faced a cruel and unprecedented ordeal. August 6, 2024, will forever remain in our memory as a date of deep sorrow. We mourn those whose earthly lives were abruptly cut short — innocent civilians, women, the elderly, children, as well as our valiant defenders who fulfilled their duty to the end. Our main Christian duty today is unceasing prayer for them. God has no dead, God has all the living. And as we celebrate today's litiya, we believe that the Lord will rest their souls in the mansions of the righteous. At the same time, these trials have shown the world the greatest examples of sacrifice, mercy and solidarity of our people. The Church prays and will continue to pray for the restoration of peace, for the healing of the wounded and for giving strength to all those who work to protect their native Fatherland."
In conclusion, the participants laid flowers at the memorial sign.