Kirill, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' (Gundyaev Vladimir Mikhailovich). On his birthday, Patriarch Kirill spoke about the end of the world

His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (in the world Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev) was born on November 20, 1946 in Leningrad.

Father - Gundyaev Mikhail Vasilyevich, priest, died in 1974. Mother - Gundyaeva Raisa Vladimirovna, teacher of German at school, in last years housewife, died in 1984. Elder brother - Archpriest Nikolai Gundyaev, professor, honorary rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Grandfather - Priest Vasily Stepanovich Gundyaev, prisoner of Solovki, for church activities and the fight against renovationism in the 20s, 30s and 40s. XX century subjected to imprisonment and exile.

After graduating from the 8th grade of high school, Vladimir Gundyaev joined the Leningrad Complex Geological Expedition of the North-Western Geological Directorate, where he worked from 1962 to 1965 as a cartographic technician, combining work with studying at high school.

After graduating from high school in 1965, he entered the Leningrad Theological Seminary, and then the Leningrad Theological Academy, from which he graduated with honors in 1970.

As chairman of the DECR, as part of official delegations, he visited all Local Orthodox Churches, including accompanying them on their trips abroad.

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, he officially visited* Local Orthodox Churches: Constantinople (2009, 2014), Alexandria (2010), Antioch (2011), Jerusalem (2012), Serbian (2013). , 2014), Romanian (2017), Bulgarian (2012), Cypriot (2012), Hellenic (2013), Polish (2012).

Inter-Christian relations and cooperation

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill took part in the work of inter-Christian organizations. As a delegate, he participated in the IV (Uppsala, Sweden, 1968), V (Nairobi, Kenya, 1975), VI (Vancouver, Canada, 1983) and VII (Canberra, Australia, 1991) General Assemblies of the WCC and as a guest of honor at the IX General Assembly of the WCC (Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2006); at the World Missionary Conference "Salvation Today" (Bangkok, 1973); was president of the World Conference on Faith, Science and the Future (Boston, 1979) and the World Convocation on Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation (Seoul, 1990); participated in the assemblies of the Commission “Faith and Order” of the WCC in Accra (Ghana, 1974), in Lima (Peru, 1982), in Budapest (Hungary, 1989). Was the keynote speaker at the World Missionary Conference in San Salvador, Brazil, November 1996.

Was a delegate of the XI General Assembly Conference of European Churches (Stirling, Scotland, 1986) and the XII General Assembly of the CEC (Prague, 1992), as well as one of the main speakers at the European Assembly of the CEC “Peace and Justice” (Basel, May 6-21, 1989. ).

He was a participant in the Second European Assembly of the CEC in Graz, Austria (23-29 June 1997) and the Third in Sibiu, Romania (5-9 September 2007).

He took part in four rounds of bilateral interviews between theologians of the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (Leningrad, 1967, Bari, Italy, 1969, Zagorsk, 1972, Trento, Italy, 1975).

Since 1977 - Secretary of the International Technical Commission for the Preparation of Dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. Since 1980 - member of the International Theological Commission for Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue. In this capacity, he took part in four plenary meetings of this commission: (Patmos-Rhodes, Greece, 1980; Munich, Germany, 1982; Crete, 1984; Valaam, Finland, 1988) and in the work of its Coordination Committee committee.

He was a co-chairman of the second round of the Orthodox-Reformed dialogue (Debrecen II) in 1976 in Leningrad and a participant in the Evangelical Kirchentags in Wittenberg (GDR, 1983) in Dortmund (1991) in Hamburg (1995).

Participant in dialogue with the delegation of the Old Catholic Church in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Rotterdam-Petersburg Commission, Moscow, 1996.

As Chairman of the DECR, on behalf of the Hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, he took part in contacts with the Churches of the USA, Japan, East Germany, Germany, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain, Norway, Iceland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ethiopia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Jamaica, Canada, Congo, Zaire, Argentina, Chile, Cyprus, China, South Africa, Greece.

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, he held a number of meetings with the heads and representatives of non-Orthodox Churches and Christian organizations.

In August 2012, the signing took place by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the chairman of the Polish Catholic Bishops' Conference.

In February 2016, the first ever meeting of the Primates of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church took place in Cuba, during which His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis signed.

Participation in Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church

He was a member of the Local Jubilee Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (June 1988, Zagorsk), chairman of its Editorial Commission and the author of the draft Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, adopted by the Jubilee Council.

He was a participant in the Council of Bishops dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate (October 1989) and the extraordinary Council of Bishops on January 30-31, 1990, as well as the Local Council on June 6-10, 1990, and the Council of Bishops on October 25-26, 1991. ; March 31 - April 4, 1992; June 11, 1992; November 29 - December 2, 1994; February 18-23, 1997; August 13-16, 2000; October 3-6, 2004, June 24-29, 2008

He presided over the Bishops' Councils (2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017) and Local Councils (2009), and at the other indicated Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church he was the Chairman of the Editorial Commission.

As chairman of the DECR, he made reports on the work of the DECR. At the Jubilee Council in 2000, as chairman of the relevant Synodal Working group and presented the Fundamentals to the Synodal Commission social concept Russian Orthodox Church and the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.

At the Council of Bishops on October 3-6, 2004, he also made a report “On the relationship with the Russian Church Abroad and the Old Believers.”

Management of the Smolensk-Kaliningrad diocese (1984-2009)

During the tenure of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the Smolensk-Kaliningrad See, 166 parishes were opened (94 in Smolensk and the region, 72 in Kaliningrad and the region). 52 Orthodox churches were restored and 71 were rebuilt.

Smolensk was opened in 1989 religious school, transformed in 1995 into the Smolensk Theological Seminary.

Since 1998, the Interdiocesan Theological School has been operating, training church choir directors, catechists, icon painters and sisters of mercy. Most parishes in the diocese operate Sunday schools. There are Orthodox gymnasiums and kindergartens.

Since 1992, the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture have been taught in public schools in the Smolensk and Kaliningrad regions.

Serving as DECR Chairman (1989-2009)

Represented the Russian Orthodox Church in the commissions for the development of the USSR Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” dated October 1, 1990, the RSFSR Law “On Freedom of Religion” dated October 25, 1990 and Federal Law Russian Federation “On freedom of conscience and religious associations” dated September 26, 1997.

As chairman of the DECR, he took part in many international public and peacekeeping initiatives.

He took part in developing the church position and peacekeeping actions during the events of August 1991 and October 1993.

He was one of the initiators of the creation of the World Russian people's council in 1993. Participated in and delivered keynote speeches at the Councils (1993-2008). Since his election to the Patriarchal Throne, he has been the Chairman of the VRNS (since 2009).

As Chairman of the Commission Holy Synod to revive religious and moral education and charity, he initiated the creation of synodal departments for religious education, social service and charity, and interaction with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. He was the author of the Concept for the revival of charity and religious education, adopted by the Holy Synod on January 30, 1991.

Developed and submitted for approval to the Holy Synod the “Concept of interaction of the Russian Orthodox Church with the armed forces” in 1994.

From 1996 to 2000 — led the development and presented to the Anniversary Council of Bishops in 2000 “Fundamentals of the social concept of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

He took an active part in normalizing the church situation in Estonia. In this regard, he visited the Patriarchates of Antioch and Jerusalem (trips to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel in 1996), and also participated in negotiations with representatives of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Zurich (Switzerland) in March and twice in April 1996. , in Thessaloniki, Tallinn and Athens (1996), in Odessa (1997), in Geneva (1998), in Moscow, Geneva and Zurich (2000), in Vienna, Berlin and Zurich (2001 .), in Moscow and Istanbul (2003); He also visited Estonia several times, where he negotiated with government representatives, members of parliament and the business community of this country.

He took an active part in peacekeeping actions in Yugoslavia. Repeatedly during the war he visited Belgrade, negotiated with the leadership of this country, initiated the creation of an informal international Christian peacekeeping group on Yugoslavia (Vienna, May 1999) and the convening of an international inter-Christian conference on the topic: “Europe after the Kosovo crisis: further actions Churches" in Oslo (Norway) in November 1999.

He was the main speaker at the Parliamentary hearings on the “Fundamentals of the social concept of the Russian Orthodox Church” (Moscow, 2001), and the topics “Religion and Health” (Moscow, 2003), “Improving legislation on freedom of conscience and on religious organizations: practice of application, problems and solutions" (Moscow, 2004).

He initiated a dialogue with European organizations in Brussels and the creation in 2002.

As DECR Chairman, he visited Estonia (multiple), Switzerland (multiple), France (multiple), Spain (multiple), Italy (multiple), Belgium (multiple), Holland (multiple), Germany (multiple), Israel (multiple), Finland (multiple), Ukraine (multiple), Japan (multiple), Canada (multiple), China (multiple), Hungary (multiple), Moldova (multiple), Norway (multiple), Lebanon and Syria (multiple), Serbia (multiple) ), USA (multiple), Turkey (multiple), Brazil (multiple), Australia (1991), Austria (multiple), Latvia (1992), Chile (1992), Bulgaria (1994, 1998, 2005 gg.), Czech Republic (1996, 2004, 2007), Slovakia (1996), Iran (1996), Lithuania (1997), Denmark (1997), Morocco (1997), Argentina (1997, 2006), Mexico (1998), Panama (1998), Peru (1998), Cuba (1998, 2004, 2008), Luxembourg (1999), Nepal ( 2000), Slovenia (2001), Malta (2001), Tunisia (2001), Mongolia (2001), Croatia (2001), Vietnam (2001), Kampuchea (2001) ), Thailand (2001), Ireland (2001), Iraq (2002), Liechtenstein (2002), Philippines (2002), special areas of the PRC - Hong Kong (2001, 2002). ), Macau (2002), South Africa (2003, 2008), Malaysia (2003), Indonesia (2003), Singapore (2003), UAE (2004), Poland (2004 .), Netherlands (2004), Dominican Republic(2004), Yemen (2005), North Korea (2006), India (2006), Romania (2007), Turkmenistan (2008), Costa Rica (2008), Venezuela (2008), Colombia (2008), Ecuador (2008), Angola (2008), Namibia (2008). He made official visits to Hungary, Mongolia, Slovenia, Iran, Iraq and Yemen at the invitation of the governments of these countries.

Patriarchal service. Administration of the Russian Orthodox Church

In 2009, a reform of the central bodies of church government was undertaken. The activities of the Department of External Church Relations were fundamentally reorganized, the scope of activity of the Department for External Church Relations was clarified, new synodal departments were created, the functions of the Russian Orthodox Church were separated, and analytical work was carried out to formulate the necessary changes in the structure of the Holy Synod and in the system of theological education in general. Activities have been intensified.

In 2012, the formation of metropolises and the increase in the number of bishops and dioceses continue. Monitoring is carried out over the implementation of the instructions of the Council of Bishops in 2011. Based on the documents adopted in 2011 on social, missionary, youth work, religious-educational and catechetical service in the Russian Orthodox Church, a detailed database of documents was developed, as well as partially provisions regulating special training ministers in these areas. Transformations are spreading from the central apparatus of the Church to the level of dioceses. The subject “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture” is included in the secondary school program secondary schools in all regions of Russia.

In 2013, the course towards the formation of new dioceses and metropolises was continued. Implementation in progress decisions made and provisions in the field of social, missionary and catechetical activities. A training system is being formed at theological educational institutions for diocesan, deanery and parish specialists in the field of mission, religious education and catechesis, youth and social work. Three stauropegic monasteries were opened. Documents on church and public issues were adopted: “The position of the Church in connection with the development of technologies for recording and processing personal data” and “On the baptism of infants born with the help of a “surrogate mother”.”

In 2014, special attention was paid to issues of church governance. The process of creating new dioceses and metropolises continued, and a stauropegial monastery was formed. Much attention was paid to the creation and strengthening of parish communities, the development of parish life, and the involvement of laity in active and responsible participation in diocesan and parish activities. The course for the development of church volunteering in social and other spheres of society has been continued, the principles and directions of work with migrants have been determined. The following documents were adopted: “The Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church on the promotion of sobriety and the prevention of alcoholism”, “Principles and directions of work with migrants”.

In 2015, the following documents were adopted: “On the participation of the faithful in the Eucharist”, “The rite of the wedding of spouses in many years of existence”, “On the Christian burial of the dead”, “The concept of the Russian Orthodox Church for the spiritual nourishment and support of the Cossacks”, “Methodological recommendations on participation Russian Orthodox Church in environmental activities." A stauropegic monastery was founded. Much attention was paid to the development of theological education, the documents were adopted: “Regulations on the procedure for the distribution of graduates of theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church”, “Regulations on educational courses for monastics of the Russian Orthodox Church”, “Regulations on the diocesan council for theological education in the Russian Orthodox Church”.

In 2015, the areas of responsibility of three synodal institutions (Synodal departments for prison ministry, church charity and social service, interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies) for the implementation of church care for the resocialization of persons released from prison, as well as on social adaptation of juvenile offenders.

The year 2016 was marked by a large number of foreign visits by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: to countries Latin America, incl. to Cuba, where a meeting with Pope Francis took place, as well as to Great Britain and France. Meetings were held with top officials of states, public figures, with believing compatriots living abroad. For the first time in history, the Primate of the Russian Church visited Antarctica.

In 2016, much attention was paid to issues of spiritual education at all levels (from Sunday schools and teaching the Fundamentals of Orthodox culture in secondary schools to advanced training courses for clergy and theological education), a number of documents were adopted, in particular, “Regulations on advanced training courses for clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church” Churches". Moscow and St. Petersburg Theological Academies received state accreditation. The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation has approved the composition of the Expert Council of the Higher Certification Commission for Theology. A dissertation council on theology has been created within the system of the Ministry of Education and Science. This was an important step in establishing theology as a scientific specialty.

In 2016, active dialogue continued with the state, secular society, non-Orthodox and representatives of other religions. At the suggestion of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin established the Society of Russian Literature, headed by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. The signing of an appeal by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to ban abortion caused a great resonance in society.

During the Patriarchal ministry the following were formed:

— Inter-conciliar presence of the Russian Orthodox Church (2009)

— Church executive authorities:

Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (2011)
Synodal Department for Relations between Church and Society (2009)
Synodal Information Department (2009)
Financial and economic management (2009)
Synodal Committee for Interaction with the Cossacks (2010)
Synodal Department on Prison Ministry (2010)
Patriarchal Council for Culture (2010)
Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism (2012), transformed from the Synodal Commission for Monasteries (2010)
Synodal Department for Relations between the Church and Society and the Media through the merger of the Synodal Department for Relations between Church and Society and the Synodal Information Department (2015)

— Church-wide collegial bodies:

Patriarchal Commission for Family Issues, Protection of Motherhood and Childhood (2013), former names - Patriarchal Commission for Family Issues and Protection of Motherhood (2012), Patriarchal Council for Family Issues and Protection of Motherhood (2011)
Patriarchal Commission on Physical Culture and Sports (2015)

— Church-wide postgraduate and doctoral studies named after saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius (2009)

— Interdepartmental coordination group for teaching theology in universities (2012)

— Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for perpetuating the memory of new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church (2013), former name — Church and Public Council for perpetuating the memory of new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church (2012)

— Expert advice on church art, architecture and restoration (2016), established in place of the abolished All-Church Commission on Church Art, Architecture and Restoration (2015)

— Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for the development of Russian church singing (2016).

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, in 2009-2017. made an official visit to the following countries: Azerbaijan (2009, 2010), Armenia (2010, 2011), Belarus (2009, 2012, 2013, 2015), Bulgaria (2012 ), Brazil (2016), Greece (2013, 2016), Egypt (2010), Israel (2012), Jordan (2012), Kazakhstan (2010, 2012) .), Cyprus (2012), China (2013), Cuba (2016), Lebanon (2011), Moldova (2011, 2013), Palestinian Authority (2012), Paraguay (2016), Poland (2012), Romania (2017), Syria (2011), Serbia (2013, 2014), Turkey (2009, 2014), Ukraine ( 2009, 2010 - 3 times, 2011 - 5 times, 2012, 2013), Montenegro (2013), Switzerland (2016), Estonia (2013), Japan (2012 G.).

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill made 221 trips to 116 dioceses*.

During the ministry of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill the following were formed:

60 metropolises of the Russian Orthodox Church*;
144 dioceses*;
vicariate in the Moscow diocese (2011);
Central Asian Metropolitan District (2011);
Patriarchal Deanery of the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Kingdom of Thailand (2016);
Patriarchal Deanery of the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Armenia (2016).

The number of dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church increased from 159 (at the beginning of 2009) to 303*.

At the beginning of 2009, there were 200 bishops in the Russian Orthodox Church, at the beginning of 2018 - 378*.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill led 176 episcopal consecrations, including: in 2009 - 5; in 2010 - 9; in 2011 - 31; in 2012 - 41; in 2013 - 22; in 2014 - 18; in 2015 - 22; in 2016 - 13; in 2017 - 14; in 2018 - 1*.

Awards

Awards of the Russian Orthodox Church

Church-wide awards

1973 - Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir (II degree)
1986 - Order St. Sergius Radonezhsky (II degree)
1996 - Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow (I degree)
2001 - Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna (II degree)
2004 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (I degree)
2006 - Order of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus' (II degree)

Orders of Self-Governing and Autonomous Churches of the Russian Orthodox Church

2006 - Order of Saints Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk (I degree) (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
2006 - Order of “Blessed Governor Stephen the Great and Holy” (II degree) (Orthodox Church of Moldova)
2009 - Order of the Hieromartyr Isidore Yuryevsky (I degree) (Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate)
2009 - Order in honor of the 450th anniversary of the bringing of the Pochaev Icon to the Volyn land Mother of God(Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
2011 - Order of St. Theodosius of Chernigov (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)

Awards of Local Orthodox Churches

2007 - Order of St. Sava the Sanctified (II degree) (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)
2009 - St. Innocent Gold Medal (Orthodox Church in America)
2010 — Commemorative medal of St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America)
2010 - Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)
2011 - Order of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (I degree) (Antiochian Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of the Holy Tsar Boris (Bulgarian Orthodox Church)
2012 - Golden Order of the Apostle Barnabas (Cypriot Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of Saint Mary Equal to the Apostles Magdalene (I degree) (Polish Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of the Life-Giving Sepulcher “Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood” (Jerusalem Orthodox Church)

Awards from other religious organizations and Christian denominations

2006 - Order of St. Gregory of Parumal (Malankara Church, India)
2010 - Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator (Armenian Apostolic Church)
2011 - Order of “Sheikh-ul-Islam” (Office of Caucasian Muslims)
2012 - Order for services to the Ummah, 1st degree (Coordination Center for Muslims of the North Caucasus)

State awards of the Russian Federation

1988 - Order of Friendship of Peoples
1995 - Order of Friendship
1996 — Jubilee medal “300 years of the Russian Navy”
1997 - Medal “In memory of the 850th anniversary of Moscow”
2001 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (III degree)
2006 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (II degree)
2011 - Order of Alexander Nevsky
2016 — Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” (I degree)

State awards of foreign countries

2010 — Medal “65 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War” Patriotic War 1941-1945." (Transnistrian Moldavian Republic)
2010 - Order of “Sharaf” (Republic of Azerbaijan)
2011 - Order of the Republic (“Ordinul Republicii”) (Republic of Moldova)
2011 - Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots (Republic of Armenia)
2012 - Order of Friendship of Peoples (Republic of Belarus)
2012 - Order of the Star of Bethlehem (Palestinian National Authority)
2013 - Grand Cross of the Order of Honor (Greek Republic)
2013 - Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st degree (Ukraine)
2016 - Order of Jose Marti (Republic of Cuba)
2017 - Order of Friendship (“Dostyk”), 1st degree (Kazakhstan)

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was also awarded a number of other federal, departmental and regional state awards; has more than 120 Russian and foreign awards public organizations; is an honorary citizen of the cities of Smolensk, Kaliningrad, Neman (Kaliningrad region), Murom (Vladimir region), Smolensk, Kaliningrad, Kemerovo region, Republic of Mordovia and other regions and settlements Russian Federation.

since 2010 - honorary doctor of Yerevan State University;

Date of Birth: November 20, 1946 A country: Russia Biography:

His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (in the world Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev) was born on November 20, 1946 in Leningrad.

Father - Gundyaev Mikhail Vasilyevich, a priest, died in 1974. Mother - Gundyaeva Raisa Vladimirovna, a teacher of German at school, in recent years a housewife, died in 1984. Elder brother - Archpriest Nikolai Gundyaev, professor, rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral in the city. St. Petersburg. Grandfather - Priest Vasily Stepanovich Gundyaev, prisoner of Solovki, for church activities and the fight against renovationism in the 20s, 30s and 40s. XX century subjected to imprisonment and exile.

After graduating from high school in 1965, he entered the Leningrad Theological Seminary, and then the Leningrad Theological Academy, from which he graduated with honors in 1970.

As chairman of the DECR, as part of official delegations, he visited all Local Orthodox Churches, including accompanying them on their trips abroad.

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, he officially visited the Local Orthodox Churches: Constantinople (2009), Alexandria (2010), Antioch (2011), Jerusalem (2012), Bulgarian (2012), Cyprus (2012) g.), Polish (2012), Hellas (2013).

Inter-Christian relations and cooperation

He was a delegate to the XI General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (Stirling, Scotland, 1986) and the XII General Assembly of the CEC (Prague, 1992), as well as one of the main speakers at the European Assembly of the CEC “Peace and Justice” (Basel, 6- May 21, 1989).

He was a participant in the Second European Assembly of the CEC in Graz, Austria (23-29 June 1997) and the Third in Sibiu, Romania (5-9 September 2007).

He took part in four rounds of bilateral interviews between theologians of the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (Leningrad, 1967, Bari, Italy, 1969, Zagorsk, 1972, Trento, Italy, 1975).

Participant in dialogue with the delegation of the Old Catholic Church in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Rotterdam-Petersburg Commission, Moscow, 1996.

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, he held a number of meetings with the heads and representatives of non-Orthodox Churches and Christian organizations.

In 2012, the signing took place by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the chairman of the Polish Catholic Bishops' Conference.

Participation in Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church

He presided at the Bishops' Councils (2009, 2011, 2013) and Local Councils (2009), and at the other indicated Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church he was the chairman of the Editorial Commission.

As chairman of the DECR, he made reports on the work of the DECR. At the Jubilee Council in 2000, as chairman of the relevant Synodal Working Group and Synodal Commission, he presented the Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.

At the Council of Bishops on October 3-6, 2004, he also made a report “On the relationship with the Russian Church Abroad and the Old Believers.”

Management of the Smolensk-Kaliningrad diocese (1984-2009)

In 1989, the Smolensk Theological School was opened, which was transformed in 1995 into the Smolensk Theological Seminary.

Since 1992, the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture have been taught in public schools in the Smolensk and Kaliningrad regions.

Serving as DECR Chairman (1989-2009)

Represented the Russian Orthodox Church in the commissions for the development of the USSR Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” dated October 1, 1990, the RSFSR Law “On Freedom of Religion” dated October 25, 1990, and the Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations”. associations" dated September 26, 1997.

As chairman of the DECR, he took part in many international public and peacekeeping initiatives.

He took part in developing the church position and peacekeeping actions during the events of August 1991 and October 1993.

He was one of the initiators of the creation of the World Russian People's Council in 1993. He took part and delivered keynote speeches at the Councils (1993-2008). Since his election to the Patriarchal Throne, he has been the Chairman of the VRNS (since 2009).

As chairman of the Holy Synod's Commission for the Revival of Religious and Moral Education and Charity, he initiated the creation of synodal departments for religious education, social service and charity, and interaction with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. He was the author of the Concept for the revival of charity and religious education, adopted by the Holy Synod on January 30, 1991.

Developed and submitted for approval to the Holy Synod the “Concept of interaction of the Russian Orthodox Church with the armed forces” in 1994.

From 1996 to 2000 — led the development and presented to the Anniversary Council of Bishops in 2000 “Fundamentals of the social concept of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

He initiated a dialogue with European organizations in Brussels and the creation in 2002.

As DECR Chairman, he visited Estonia (multiple), Switzerland (multiple), France (multiple), Spain (multiple), Italy (multiple), Belgium (multiple), Holland (multiple), Germany (multiple), Israel (multiple), Finland (multiple), Ukraine (multiple), Japan (multiple), Canada (multiple), China (multiple), Hungary (multiple), Moldova (multiple), Norway (multiple), Lebanon and Syria (multiple), Serbia (multiple) ), USA (multiple), Turkey (multiple), Brazil (multiple), Australia (1991), Austria (multiple), Latvia (1992), Chile (1992), Bulgaria (1994, 1998, 2005 gg.), Czech Republic (1996, 2004, 2007), Slovakia (1996), Iran (1996), Lithuania (1997), Denmark (1997), Morocco (1997), Argentina (1997, 2006), Mexico (1998), Panama (1998), Peru (1998), Cuba (1998, 2004, 2008), Luxembourg (1999), Nepal ( 2000), Slovenia (2001), Malta (2001), Tunisia (2001), Mongolia (2001), Croatia (2001), Vietnam (2001), Kampuchea (2001) ), Thailand (2001), Ireland (2001), Iraq (2002), Liechtenstein (2002), Philippines (2002), special areas of the PRC - Hong Kong (2001, 2002). ), Macau (2002), South Africa (2003, 2008), Malaysia (2003), Indonesia (2003), Singapore (2003), UAE (2004), Poland (2004 .), the Netherlands (2004), the Dominican Republic (2004), Yemen (2005), North Korea (2006), India (2006), Romania (2007), Turkmenistan (2008). ), Costa Rica (2008), Venezuela (2008), Colombia (2008), Ecuador (2008), Angola (2008), Namibia (2008). He made official visits to Hungary, Mongolia, Slovenia, Iran, Iraq and Yemen at the invitation of the governments of these countries.

Patriarchal service. Administration of the Russian Orthodox Church

In 2012-2013 The formation of metropolises and the increase in the number of bishops and dioceses continue. The implementation of the instructions of the Bishops' Councils of 2011 and 2013 is monitored. On the basis of accepted documents on social, missionary, youth work, religious-educational and catechetical service in the Russian Orthodox Church, a detailed database of documents was developed, as well as partially provisions regulating the special training of ministers in these areas. Transformations are spreading from the central apparatus of the Church to the level of dioceses. The subject “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture” is included in the curriculum of secondary schools in all regions of Russia.

During the Patriarchal ministry the following were formed:

— Inter-conciliar presence of the Russian Orthodox Church (2009)

— Church executive authorities:

Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (2011)
Synodal Department for Relations between Church and Society (2009)
Synodal Information Department (2009)
Financial and economic management (2009)
Synodal Committee for Interaction with the Cossacks (2010)
Synodal Department on Prison Ministry (2010)
Patriarchal Council for Culture (2010)
Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism (2012), transformed from the Synodal Commission for Monasteries (2010)

— Church-wide collegial bodies:

Patriarchal Commission for Family Issues and Motherhood Protection (2012), former name - Patriarchal Council for Family Issues and Motherhood Protection (2011)

— Church-wide postgraduate and doctoral studies named after Saints Cyril and Methodius (2009)

— Interdepartmental coordination group for teaching theology in universities (2012)

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, in 2009-2013. visited the countries: Azerbaijan (2009, 2010), Armenia (2010, 2011), Belarus (2009, 2012, 2013), Bulgaria (2012), Greece (2013 d.) Egypt (2010), Israel (2012), Jordan (2012), Kazakhstan (2010, 2012), Cyprus (2012), China (2013), Lebanon (2011), Moldova (2011, 2013), Palestinian Authority (2012), Poland (2012), Syria (2011), Serbia (2013), Turkey (2009) .), Ukraine (2009, 2010 - 3 times, 2011 - 5 times, 2012, 2013), Montenegro (2013), Estonia (2013), Japan (2012 .).

By February 2014, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill made 124 trips to 67 dioceses, 156 trips to 26 stauropegic monasteries, 21 of them more than once. Visited 7 farmsteads of stauropegial monasteries. Made 432 trips to 105 churches in Moscow (data as of January 31, 2014).

During the ministry of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill the following were formed:

46 metropolises of the Russian Orthodox Church;
113 dioceses, including 95 dioceses in Russia*;
Central Asian Metropolitan District (2011);
vicariate in the Moscow diocese (2011).

The number of dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church increased from 159 at the beginning of 2009 to 273 at the beginning of 2014 (in Russia - from 69 to 164).

At the beginning of 2009, there were 200 bishops in the Russian Orthodox Church, at the beginning of 2014 - 312*.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill led 109 episcopal consecrations, including: in 2009 - 5; in 2010 - 9; in 2011 - 31; in 2012 - 41; in 2013 - 22; in 2014 - 1*.

Also, during the 5 years of Patriarchal service, he performed 144 ordinations as deacon and presbyter (18 as deacon and 126 as presbyter)*.

Awards

Awards of the Russian Orthodox Church

Church-wide awards

1973 - Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir (II degree)
1986 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (II degree)
1996 - Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow (I degree)
2001 - Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna (II degree)
2004 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (I degree)
2006 - Order of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus' (II degree)

Orders of Self-Governing and Autonomous Churches of the Russian Orthodox Church

2006 - Order of Saints Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk (I degree) (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
2006 - Order of “Blessed Governor Stephen the Great and Holy” (II degree) (Orthodox Church of Moldova)
2009 - Order of the Hieromartyr Isidore Yuryevsky (I degree) (Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate)
2009 - Order in honor of the 450th anniversary of the bringing of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God to the land of Volyn (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
2011 - Order of St. Theodosius of Chernigov (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)

Awards of Local Orthodox Churches

2007 - Order of St. Sava the Sanctified (II degree) (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)
2009 - St. Innocent Gold Medal (Orthodox Church in America)
2010 — Commemorative medal of St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America)
2010 - Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)
2011 - Order of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (I degree) (Antiochian Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of the Holy Tsar Boris (Bulgarian Orthodox Church)
2012 - Golden Order of the Apostle Barnabas (Cypriot Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of St. Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles (I degree) (Polish Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of the Life-Giving Sepulcher “Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood” (Jerusalem Orthodox Church)

Awards from other religious organizations and Christian denominations

2006 - Order of St. Gregory of Parumal (Malankara Church, India)
2010 - Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator (Armenian Apostolic Church)
2011 - Order of “Sheikh-ul-Islam” (Office of Caucasian Muslims)
2012 - Order for services to the Ummah, 1st degree (Coordination Center for Muslims of the North Caucasus)

State awards of the Russian Federation

1988 - Order of Friendship of Peoples
1995 - Order of Friendship
1996 — Jubilee medal “300 years of the Russian Navy”
1997 - Medal “In memory of the 850th anniversary of Moscow”
2001 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (III degree)
2006 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (II degree)
2011 - Order of Alexander Nevsky

State awards of foreign countries

2009 - Order of Friendship of Peoples (Republic of Belarus)
2010 — Medal “65 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.” (Transnistrian Moldavian Republic)
2010 - Order of “Sharaf” (Republic of Azerbaijan)
2011 - Order of the Republic (“OrdinulRepublicii”) (Republic of Moldova)
2011 - Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots (Republic of Armenia)
2012 - Order of the Star of Bethlehem (Palestinian National Authority)

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was also awarded a number of other federal, departmental and regional state awards; has more than 120 awards from Russian and foreign public organizations; is an honorary citizen of the cities of Smolensk, Kaliningrad, Neman (Kaliningrad region), Murom (Vladimir region), Smolensk, Kaliningrad, Kemerovo regions, the Republic of Mordovia and other regions and settlements of the Russian Federation.

Publications on the portal Patriarchia.ru

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: It is impossible to stop wars in a world of unlove [Patriarch: Interview]

"Religious education in the postmodern era." Speech by the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad at the XV Christmas Readings [Documents]

On November 20, 2017, Monday of the 25th week after Pentecost, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. On this day His Holiness turned 71 years old.

2017 marks the 170th anniversary of the founding of the official representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Holy Land - the Russian Spiritual Mission in the Holy City of Jerusalem, as well as the 200th anniversary of the birth of the head of the Russian Spiritual Mission, Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin). The solemn service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was attended by His Eminence archpastors and clergy who previously held the position of head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem, as well as the current head of the Spiritual Mission.

During the Divine Liturgy, the consecration of Archimandrite Ignatius (Suranov) as Bishop of Mariinsko-Posad, vicar of the Cheboksary diocese (Chuvash Metropolis) was performed.

Concelebrating with His Holiness were: Metropolitan Yuvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna, Patriarchal Vicar of the Moscow Diocese, head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem in 1963-1965; Metropolitan Valentin (Mishchuk); Metropolitan Varnava of Cheboksary and Chuvashia; Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, Chairman of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church; Metropolitan of Voronezh and Liskinsky Sergius; Metropolitan of Yaroslavl and Rostov Panteleimon, head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem in 1982-1986; Metropolitan Arseny of Istra, first vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for Moscow; Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Barsanuphius, administrator of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavsky, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem in 1986-1988; Metropolitan Kirill of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye; Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk Mercury, Chairman of the Synodal Department of Religious Education and Catechesis; Metropolitan Feofan of Kazan and Tatarstan; Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations; Metropolitan Feodosius of Tambov and Rasskazovsky, head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem in 1993-2002; Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailovsky, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Savvaty of Ulan-Ude and Buryat; Metropolitan Ignatius of Vologda and Kirillov; Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, manager of the affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy; Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk; Metropolitan of Saransk and Mordovian Zinovy; Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut; Metropolitan of Smolensk and Dorogobuzh Isidor; Archbishop of Vitebsk and Orsha Dimitry; Archbishop Eugene of Vereisky, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church; Archbishop Savva of Tiraspol and Dubossary; Archbishop Feognost of Sergiev Posad, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism, Vicar of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius; Archbishop of Pyatigorsk and Circassia Theophylact; Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh, head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem in 2002-2006; Archbishop Sergius of Solnechnogorsk, head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate; Archbishop of Yakutsk and Lensk Roman; Bishop Gury (Shalimov); Bishop Tikhon of Vidnovsky; Bishop Anthony of Zvenigorod, head of the Moscow Patriarchate Office for Foreign Institutions; Bishop Theophylact of Dmitrov, abbot of the St. Andrew's Stavropegic Monastery; Bishop of Serpukhov Roman; Bishop Tikhon of Podolsk, head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem in 2006-2009. ; Bishop of Krasnoslobodsky and Temnikovsky Clement; Bishop of Orekhovo-Zuevsky Panteleimon, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service; Bishop Savva of the Resurrection, first deputy administrator of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, abbot of the Novospassky stauropegic monastery; Bishop of Volgodonsk and Salsky Korniliy; Bishop Stefan of Kanash and Yantikov; Bishop Nikolai of Balashikha; Bishop of Neftekamsk and October Ambrose; Bishop of Tikhvin and Lodeynopol Mstislav; Bishop of Alatyr and Poretsk Theodore; Bishop of Shakhtinsky and Millerovsky Simon; Bishop of Vyazemsky and Gagarinsky Sergius; Bishop Tikhon of Yegoryevsk, Chairman of the Patriarchal Council for Culture, Abbot of the Sretensky Stavropegic Monastery; Bishop Paramon of Bronnitsky, abbot of the Donskoy stauropegial monastery; Bishop of Borisoglebsky and Buturlinovsky Sergius; Bishop of Pereslavl and Uglich Theodore; Bishop Peter of Lukhovitsky; Bishop Seraphim of Lyubertsy, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs; Bishop of Roslavl and Desnogorsk Meletius.

Also concelebrating with the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church were: Protopresbyter Vladimir Divakov, Secretary of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' for Moscow; Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Deputy Chairman of the DECR MP; Archimandrite Filaret (Bulekov), Deputy Chairman of the DECR MP; Archimandrite Savva (Tutunov), Deputy Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate; Archpriest Alexander Ageikin, rector of Epiphany cathedral Moscow; Archimandrite Alexander (Elisov), head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem; Archimandrite Nikita (Latushko), rector of the Holy Trinity Church in Vsevolozhsk (St. Petersburg Metropolis), head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem in 1988-1993; Archimandrite Isidore (Minaev), rector of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (near the Warsaw Station) in St. Petersburg, head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem in 2009-2013; Hegumen Feofan (Lukyanov), head of the Protocol Sector of the DECR MP, acting Head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem in 2013-2015; priest Alexander Volkov, head of the Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; clergy of Moscow and the Chuvash Metropolis.

Present at the service were: Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central federal district HELL. Beglov; President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic V.N. Krasnoselsky; Chairman of the Committee State Duma Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on International Affairs L.E. Slutsky; Chairman of the State Duma Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Affairs public associations and religious organizations S.A. Gavrilov; Vice President of the Republic of Abkhazia V.V. Gabnia; Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Advisor to the Mayor of Moscow and Advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' on construction issues V.I. Resin; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Abkhazia to the Russian Federation I.M. Ahba; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Russian Federation Maris Riekstins; chairman State Council Chuvash Republic V.N. Filimonov; Head of the Department of National Policy of Interregional Relations and Tourism of Moscow V.I. Suchkov; Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of PJSC PhosAgro A.N. Guryev; Chairman of the Board, CEO PJSC PhosAgro A.A. Guryev.

Praying at the Liturgy were the Chairman of the Synodal Department for Relations of the Church with Society and the Media V.R. Legoyda, clergy, monastics and laity who came to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior to pray with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the birthday of His Holiness.

Liturgical hymns were performed by the Patriarchal Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (regent I.B. Tolkachev).

The service was broadcast live on the Soyuz TV channel.

The special litany included special petitions for the health of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. After special litany Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsky and Kolomna read a prayer for the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Then His Holiness Patriarch Kirill offered a prayer for peace in Ukraine.

At the funeral litany, petitions were offered for the repose of the souls of the departed mentors and relatives of His Holiness, including the servants of God Metropolitan Nicodemus, Archpriest Michael, Raisa, Priest Vasily, Paraskeva.

The sermon before communion was delivered by Archpriest Maxim Kravchenko, rector of the Church of the Entry Holy Mother of God in Veshnyaki, Moscow.

At the end of the Liturgy, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill performed a funeral litany for the deceased leaders of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.

Then His Holiness Patriarch Kirill admonished Bishop Ignatius of Mariinsko-Posad, vicar of the Cheboksary diocese, to the service and handed him the bishop’s staff:

“Reverend Bishop Ignatius!

Today, omnipotent grace from the Father emanating and the Comforter Spirit sent by the Son has sanctified your nature. Surrounded by a host of hierarchs, shepherds and laity, visible with bodily eyes, and overshadowed by the wings of the disembodied Heavenly Forces, visible with spiritual eyes, you received under the arches of this temple the gift of episcopacy, so that “to shepherd the Church of the Lord and God, which He purchased with His own blood”(Acts 20:28).

Having become the successor of the apostolic ministry, having clothed yourself in holy robes, you, like your predecessors - fellow archpastors, stand before us awaiting the parting words of the Primate. Heed the Patriarchal instruction and imprint it on your heart. May it help you to pass through the episcopal field properly, present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth(2 Tim. 2:15).

Archpastoral service is as high as it is difficult. High because it is a continuation on earth of the great and glorious service of the disciples of Christ, those whose eyes were privileged to see, hands to touch, and ears to hear Him who became incarnate for the sake of the Son of the Father. The focus of the apostolic mission was the gospel of the Risen Jesus. Messengers on behalf of Christ(2 Cor. 5:20), they walked even to the ends of the earth(Acts 1:8), calling people make peace with God(2 Cor. 5:20), repent, turn your hearts to Him. From now on, you too must continue their work on earth, salt this world with saving gospel verbs, be his light(Matt. 5:13).

As I have already said, the episcopal service is not only high, but also difficult. It requires dedication and patience, devotion to duty and courage. Remember that the apostles gave their lives to their beloved Teacher without reserve. Remember that they did not seek peace, were not afraid of labor and trials, were not afraid of tormentors, or torment, or death itself. Remember and imitate them in your service.

This year, together with the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate by the Local Council, we remember the beginning of the sorrowful path of the Russian Church, which revealed a great host of witnesses of the Truth, martyrs and confessors. By the grace of God today we do not face open persecution, we are not persecuted for our faith. However, in any era, genuine confession of our Lord and Savior requires perseverance and fortitude, for it is often accompanied by various difficulties and oppression. This confession may be accompanied by troubles from false brethren, and temptations and temptations that rise up in the soul.

“In the world you will have tribulation; but take heart: I have overcome the world."(John 16:33), says Christ to His disciples. Fear nothing, for "the prince of this world is condemned"(John 16:11). Dare, do not be afraid, just believe, and your faith will save you(Luke 8:48-50). While performing episcopal labors, never forget these words of the Conqueror of death and Giver of life. May they encourage you in your upcoming ministry. So, take heart and, like the apostles, with boldness do not stop teaching and preaching about Jesus Christ(Acts 5:42). Be bold and diligently feed His verbal flock, supervising him not forcefully, but willingly and godly(1 Pet. 5:2). Be bold and with ardent faith, with immutable trust in the Lord, perform the responsible obedience entrusted to you.

Let Saint Ignatius, Bishop of the Caucasus, after whom you are named in monasticism, be an example of your episcopal service. This zealous man of prayer and strict abstinence also showed us a vivid image of a zealous archpastor and inspired preacher, an experienced counselor and an active temple builder. Due to physical weakness, he was not long the ruling bishop. However, during his time at the pulpit, this marvelous servant of the Lord managed, despite difficult external circumstances, to grow many fruits in the field of Christ. I urge you in your episcopal work to become like your heavenly patron, who was tirelessly zealous for the glory of God.

How can one show oneself to be a good shepherd - such as St. Ignatius was? Where to find strength, understanding, will? For this you need “to be the bishop of your heart and sacrifice to Christ thoughts and feelings sanctified by the Spirit”. These wonderful words were once spoken by the rector of the Sergius Hermitage, Archimandrite Ignatius, when he was named Bishop of the Caucasus and Black Sea, and he always tried to follow these words himself. Above all, be the bishop of your heart, the prudent steward of the house of your soul. Then you will be able to become a real bishop of human hearts, a wise steward of the church inheritance entrusted to your care.

The Holy Synod determined that you should serve in the land of Chuvashia, where you were born and raised, took holy orders and carried out various responsible obediences. I urge you to be a zealous and like-minded co-worker of His Grace Barnabas, Metropolitan of Cheboksary and Chuvashia, who has been taking care of the organization of church life in the region for many years. Help the ruling bishop in his work to develop educational and catechetical activities in the diocese, in work with youth, in the ministry of mercy, as well as in other good endeavors for the benefit of the church. Show yourself, according to the word of Scripture, good steward of the manifold grace of God(1 Pet. 4:10), who devotes all his strength and abilities to perfection of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edification of the Body of Christ(Eph. 4:12).

With such parting words, I present you with this episcopal staff - a symbol of archpastoral power and the great responsibility associated with it for human souls. Now bless the people ahead who have now prayerfully participated in your consecration. Amen".

According to tradition, the newly ordained bishop gave the first archpastoral blessing to the believers.

After the proclamation of many years to the Primate of the Russian Church, Metropolitan Yuvenaly turned to His Holiness: “Your Holiness! You have just commemorated the workers of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for blessing a few days ago former bosses and the workers of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and celebrate there the 170th anniversary of the founding of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem. “I have the duty to convey to you the love and well-wishes of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who together with our delegation prayed both at the Holy Sepulcher and in our Russian spiritual mission in Jerusalem.”

Then Metropolitan Yuvenaly read a reading to the members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

Metropolitan Yuvenaly presented His Holiness with gifts from the Holy Synod - a copy of the enthronement doll and mantle of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of All-Russia, as well as a bouquet of roses. “This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate, and these days we remember the enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon. Please accept an exact copy of the Patriarchal robes and robes, in which His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon was at that historical moment,” said Metropolitan Yuvenaly.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill addressed the believers with the Primate’s word:

“Your Eminence, Metropolitan Juvenaly! Your Eminences and Graces, dear rulers! All-honorable fathers! Brothers and sisters!

I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for gathering in such large numbers on this weekday to pray with me. I'm not celebrating any today round date- just another milestone in life. But if it is accompanied by church-wide prayer, it becomes a very important spiritual moment for me personally. I am aware that my weak strength is strengthened by the prayer of many archpastors, shepherds, and the people of God.

In the ordinary Gospel reading (Luke 12:42-48), which we heard today, there are wonderful words: from the one who has been given much, much will be required. These words directly relate, among other things, to the ministry of the Patriarch. The Patriarch has been given a lot by the Church. By electing a Patriarch, the Church hopes that he, having become the head of the episcopate, clergy, and laity, will not make mistakes that would cause irreparable damage to church life; that he will unshakably and unchangeably preserve the Orthodox faith; that he will unite the episcopate, the clergy, and the believing people; that he will see through the problems of the current time and, relying on the Church, formulate a church-wide response to these problems. Today I can say with complete confidence: it is thanks to the support of the episcopate - the Council of Bishops, the Holy Synod - thanks to the powerful support of the people, which I feel in prayers, and in your letters, and in your kind views, that our Church, going through very difficult historical conditions are strengthened today by the grace of God. New dioceses, churches, monasteries, many Sunday schools, and various educational institutions are opening. Significant work is being done both with young people and with socially vulnerable people - the needy, the disabled. A lot of educational work is being done; missionaries are working all over our Church. All this, of course, fills my soul with joy, but at the same time it increases the level of responsibility. When the Church had practically no opportunities other than performing divine services in churches and monasteries, then the demand was different. And today the possibilities of exerting a real spiritual influence on our entire people are open to us, and therefore they will ask us, according to the word of today’s Gospel, to the maximum: what is in these new historical conditions, conditions of freedom for the Church, despite the dark forces constantly hindering church work, each of us has done and is doing. The level of responsibility today is very high. And the first thing we all need is to realize the height of this bar and measure our labors not only by the number of services performed and sermons delivered, not by how the believers gathered in churches respond to our words, but by what is happening in our people and with our people.

As opportunities for church preaching increase, the temptations with which the souls of our people are tempted increase exponentially. Today sin is not just obvious, although throughout history people have tried to hide sins, considering them something obscene and wrong. Today, sin is demonstrated in the most attractive way through cinema, through theater, through other forms of art. Art, which is designed to cultivate the human personality, enrich it, raise it to the sky, becomes a weight that does not allow a person to soar. Of course, I do not mean all art, but that which in recent years has declared its special role and its right to bring temptation and sin to the people, confusing people. Unfortunately, a significant part of our intelligentsia is repeating the disastrous mistake of their predecessors, who brought the country to disastrous revolutionary events, the centenary of which we remember this year.

Today is not the time to rock the boat of human passions, because already there is too much pressure on a person negative impact, destroying his spiritual life. Today is the time to unite all healthy forces. The Church, art, culture, our writers, scientists, all those who love the Motherland must be together today, because we are entering a critical period in the development of human civilization. This is visible to the naked eye, and one would have to be blind not to see the approaching menacing moments of history, which the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian spoke about in the Book of Revelation. No one knows about that time (Matthew 24:36), but the approach or removal of this time depends on us - on the Church of God and on each person. The one who lives in truth, who fights sin, is on the side of light and truth; with his life, his creativity, especially if this person is public and capable of influencing others, he can slow down this slide of all humanity into the abyss of the end of history.

Our abuse is real not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this world, the spirits of wickedness in high places(Eph. 6:12). And so today when I hear good words to me, I rejoice at your kindness, your fraternal support, but at the same time I ask each of you, brother archpastors and clergy, to realize our common historical responsibility for our people, for our country, if you like, for the human race. Because in the Russian Church, as in every Church, as in every parish, the entire fullness of the One Holy Catholic Church is reflected Apostolic Church. We believe that the Lord will be with us. But in order not to succumb to temptation, we must be strong, we must be united as never before. The unity of our Church, overcoming divisions and schisms, including in Ukraine, is an important task that faces us all.

The Orthodox Church, tormented from the outside at the very dangerous time post-revolutionary existence, suffered unbearable torment from internal divisions. But we know that the Lord, having led our people through many sufferings, our Church through Calvary, by His power gave unity to the Church, and revived faith among the people. We believe that today our Lord, the Savior and Provider of the world, will keep us in unity, restore unity where it was destroyed, strengthen us all in faith, our people in piety, and give us the opportunity to lead a peaceful life in faith, hope, love , through their labors affirming God’s truth in history, and therefore suspending the action dark force, reversing human history moving towards the abyss. And may the Lord help us in all this. Thank you all for your holy prayers."

At the end of the service, a reception was held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in honor of the birthday of His Holiness. President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic V.N. delivered words of congratulations. Krasnoselsky, a greeting from the President of the Republic of Belarus A.G. was read out. Lukashenko.

In the Patriarchal chambers of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church received congratulations from the episcopate, the capital's clergy, monasticism and laity. Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation V.V. also arrived to congratulate His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation O.A. Golodets, First Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation S.V. Kiriyenko, Mayor of Moscow S.S. Sobyanin and others.

Press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'

Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill (secular name - Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev) headed the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) on February 1, 2009 after the death of his predecessor Alexy II.

Childhood and family

Vladimir Gundyaev was born in Leningrad on November 20, 1946 into a religious family, despite the anti-church sentiment that reigned in those years.

His grandfather Vasily Stepanovich (b. 1879), a native of Lukoyanovsky district, was a machinist by training, and he himself began to study theological literature. In 1922, he ended up in Solovki following a denunciation by the Renovationists (a religious movement that stood in opposition to the Orthodox Church after the revolution and for some time was supported by the Bolsheviks), of whom he was an opponent. But even in the camp, Vasily did not abandon his faith, he held secret services, for which he once spent a month in a punishment cell. The Christian remained in exile until 1955.

The father of the future patriarch, Mikhail Vasilyevich Gundyaev (b. 1907), dreamed of becoming a clergyman from a young age. After leaving school, he worked for some time as an assistant in Lukoyanov’s church, and in 1926 he moved to Leningrad, where he entered the Higher Theological Courses. He regularly attended all lectures and wrote them down verbatim.

Two years later the courses were closed, Mikhail went into the army. After serving, he entered a technical school, then an industrial university. Initially, he planned to go to study to become a doctor, but because of the mark on theological courses in his personal file, he was turned away. In 1934, he was arrested in the “Kirov case” for serving in church and singing in the choir - just a few days before the wedding. Mikhail was accused of attempting to kill Joseph Stalin.

His wife, Raisa Vladimirovna Kuchina (born 1909), taught German At school. Also being a religious person, she enjoyed singing in the church choir, where she met her future husband.

Together with his wife, Mikhail spent three years in Kolyma, then returned to Leningrad and worked at a factory. In 1940, the first-born Nikolai was born. During the war years, Mikhail helped strengthen the city during the siege, and in 1943 he went to the front. After the victory, the family began to live in the city, which was recovering from the blockade, and soon their second son, Vladimir, was born. At this time, the state began to establish a dialogue with the church, and therefore Gundyaev, at the risk of losing high position in society, nevertheless asked for ordination. In 1947, Mikhail was elevated to the rank of deacon and assigned to the temple Smolensk icon Mother of God.

Two years later, relations between church and state that had been warming began to deteriorate again. For his service, Mikhail was imposed an unimaginable fine at that time - 120 thousand rubles (for comparison, for the Pobeda car, which cost about 15 thousand, even wealthy people saved for years). Part of the money was collected from Leningrad parishes, but until Mikhail’s death the large family(besides Nikolai and Vladimir, the couple had a daughter, Elena, born in 1949), who was constantly in debt and suffered terrible poverty. Saved by grateful parishioners who helped out with food.

The formation of Vladimir’s views was greatly influenced by his grandfather, who returned home in the mid-50s. He told his grandson that even during the most severe camp trials, which claimed the lives of most people, he never felt fear. “For me it was a living experience and a living image of a person who knew what God’s love is,” the patriarch later recalled.

Every school day was a test for Vladimir. An opponent of the communist regime, he became neither a pioneer nor a Komsomol member. When the school director convinced Gundyaev to wear pioneer tie, he replied: “Okay. If you don't mind me wearing a red tie to church. Because I will." Constant teacher councils and beatings from the director did not prevent Vova from studying well. The soul of the future patriarch lay in physics and other exact disciplines.

Education

After graduating from the eight-year school, Vladimir did not continue school education. He decided to live an independent life, without burdening his needy parents, who still had his younger sister. Having settled into the “evening”, in 1962 Vladimir began working as a cartographer in the Leningrad complex geological expedition.

In 1965, Gundyaev entered the Leningrad Theological Seminary, and in 1967 continued his studies at the Theological Academy. According to information found in some sources, he completed the program in an accelerated mode at the request of Metropolitan Nikodim Rotov, whose cell attendant (i.e. secretary) Vladimir became later, in 1970.

Religious activities

In April 1969, Vladimir Gundyaev was tonsured a monk and named Kirill, ordained a hierodeacon, and then a hieromonk. A year later, he graduated from the academy with honors and a candidate of theological sciences degree.

He combined his activities as Nikodim's secretary with teaching at his alma mater. In 1971, Kirill was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and in October of the same year he became rector Orthodox church in Geneva, Switzerland.

From this moment on, Kirill begins to move up the career ladder, so to speak. In 20 years he went from archimandrite to metropolitan; was the chairman of the commission of the Holy Synod, which deals with the decision current issues ROC.

Interview with the future patriarch (1989)

Social activity

In the 90s, Patriarch Kirill delved deeper into social activities. In 1994, the television program “The Word of the Shepherd” was released with his participation, which covered spiritual and educational issues in a language understandable to the common viewer.

“The Word of the Shepherd” with Metropolitan Kirill (1997)

At the same time, Kirill, as chairman of the Department of External Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church MP, organized work on the creation of the concept of the Russian Orthodox Church in the field of church-state relations. The result of his work was the “Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church” adopted in 2000 at the bishops’ council - a document outlining the official position of the Orthodox Church in interaction with the state.

Since 1995, the fruitful work of Patriarch Kirill began together with the Government of the Russian Federation. He was repeatedly a member of various advisory bodies, took part in resolving issues related to the Chechen Republic during military campaigns; was involved in organizing various cultural events: celebrating the 2000th anniversary of Christianity, holding the Year of the Russian Federation in a number of countries.

Patriarchate

Patriarch Alexy II died in 2008. Metropolitan Kirill was appointed to the post of Patriarchal Locum Tenens. In 2009, he was elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', gaining about 75% of the votes in the voting of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Kirill did a lot to unite the Russian Orthodox Church abroad. Regular visits to neighboring countries and meetings with religious leaders and representatives of other faiths significantly strengthened the position of the church, and also expanded the boundaries of cooperation between states.

Despite his dedication to the cause, the Patriarch has repeatedly spoken out against radical groups, saying that such preachers must be feared. According to him, false teachers are increasingly appearing among the people and plunging people into confusion, because they are hiding behind beautifully designed slogans. powerful weapon destruction of the church.

Scandals

One of the first scandals that arose with the mention of the name of then Metropolitan Kirill was the case of the use of tax breaks on the import of alcohol and tobacco products in the early 90s. The Novaya Gazeta publication published an article that spoke of the Metropolitan’s personal interest in import transactions excisable goods. However, the vast majority of religious leaders said that this was nothing more than a provocation; a planned campaign that aims to tarnish the name of an honest man.

Metropolitan Kirill was also accused of having connections with the KGB. In 2003, President Vladimir Putin received a letter that directly stated that Kirill was a KGB agent. The author of the letter was a priest of the Moscow Helsinki Group, but his actions, regarded by society as a provocation, did not bring any results.

In 2010, a new scandal erupted around the name of the patriarch. Kirill’s colleague Lydia Leonova discovered a thick layer of dust in his apartment. The arriving commission decided that the substance came from the apartment below - its owner, academician and clergyman of the UOC-MP Yuriy Shevchenko was doing renovations. The examination showed that the dust contains carcinogenic substances. The damage caused to the property amounted to more than 20 million rubles, which Lydia Leonova eventually sued from Shevchenko.

Patriarch Kirill: “Don’t strive to live better”

However, the press was interested not so much in the damage caused to the patriarch’s property as in the status of Lydia Leonova, who apparently lived in Vladimir Gundyaev’s apartment. Later, on Vladimir Solovyov’s radio program, the owner of the property explained that the apartment was given to him by Yuri Luzhkov’s deputy by order of Boris Yeltsin, while the patriarch himself “did not live in it for even a week,” but gave it to his second cousin, Lydia Leonova, for use.

In 2012, a photograph of the patriarch with expensive watch Breguet on the wrist. Later, the clock disappeared from the photo, but remained in the reflection on the table. The press service of the Russian Orthodox Church called this incident “a ridiculous mistake by the photo editor.” Soon returned to the site original version photographs - with a clock.

Journalists believe that in this photo Vladimir Gundyaev was photographed with Lydia Leonova and their son

Despite the fact that the patriarch personally called her his second cousin, in the press she was called “Kirill Gundyaev’s partner,” and he himself was called “an exemplary family man,” and even cited as an example a photograph of them together in 1988. However, the statement about any love affair between them does not stand up to criticism, because Patriarch Kirill completely abandoned his personal life in the name of serving the Lord. Accordingly, he cannot have a wife (let alone a cohabitant) and children.

Patriarch Kirill now

In February 2016, for the first time in history, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church met with the Pope. Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis kissed, took photographs and, having escorted the journalists out of the conference room, began a conversation that lasted more than two hours.

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