Patr. Kirill Marks 17 Years as Primate, Reflects on Church Renewal
Patr. Kirill marked his 17th enthronement anniversary by recalling past persecution and urging clergy to renewed zeal and service for the Russian Church’s growth.
MOSCOW — On February 1, 2026, His Holiness Patr. Kirill of Moscow delivered an address following the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, marking the 17th anniversary of his enthronement. The Patriarch reflected on his personal journey, the Church’s endurance under Soviet persecution, and the responsibilities of clergy and faithful in contemporary Russia.
Patr. Kirill recounted his family’s history of faith under duress, highlighting the sufferings of his grandfather and father in prisons and labor camps for their devotion to the Church. He described the postwar period as one of constrained growth for Russian Orthodoxy, emphasizing the importance of resilience, spiritual zeal, and dedication to ecclesiastical service. “Never be afraid of anything. Fear only God,” the Patriarch recalled his grandfather advising, urging clergy and laity alike to draw strength from this principle.
Turning to the present, Patr. Kirill noted that the Russian Church now enjoys a more favorable position within society, with authorities supportive of church construction and education. He exhorted the episcopate and clergy to labor diligently, maintain high standards, and continue expanding the Church’s spiritual and educational work. He stressed that genuine success must be measured by active participation in church life, including Sunday attendance and involvement in Sunday schools.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Kirill celebrated Theophany at Moscow's Epiphany Cathedral.
