On 1^st February 2020, after the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, and an assembly of hierarchs and clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church, a reception took place in the Cathedral’s Refectory Chambers on the occasion of the 11^th anniversary of His Holiness’ enthronement. Among those delivering speeches of greetings were Metropolitan Vladimir of Kishinev and Moldova; Mr. Igor Schegolev, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District; Mr. Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma of the Russian Federation; and Mr. Alexander Beglov, Governor of St. Petersburg.

Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, greeted His Holiness on behalf of representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches. “Sharing with your Church the moments of hardship and joy, we, representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches to your Throne, living under your Primatial omophorion, congratulate Your Holiness on this glorious day – the day of your enthronement – and wish you spiritual and bodily strength in your lofty ministry for the good of the Russian Church and Russia,” Vladyka Niphon said, in particular.

The Primate of the Russian Church thanked all the concelebrants and guests of the reception. In his address at the conclusion of the meeting His Holiness suggested that a mention of God should be included in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. “I think that through joint efforts and prayers we will help ensure that such a lofty idea as faith in God, which shapes personal, public and political morality, is present in our Constitution,” His Holiness said, calling for the start of discussion on the issue.

Patriarch Kirill also thanked Archbishop Celestino Migliore, who is completing his service in Russia, for his work as Apostolic Nuncio to the Russian Federation. Greeting the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church were members of the Holy Synod, heads of metropolias, abbots of Stavropegic monasteries, representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches, Synodal institutions, and clergy. (Quelle: ©1997—2019 The Russian Orthodox Church. Department for External Church Relations, www.mospat.ru, 1. Februar 2020)