On February 15, 2022, the feast of the Meeting of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. This feast is traditionally marked as Orthodox Youth Day.
Concelebrating with His Holiness were: Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada; Bishop Roman of Serpukhov, abbot of the Vysotsky Stavropegial Monastery; Archpriest Mikhail Ryazantsev, sacristan of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior; Archimandrite Alexy (Turikov), personal secretary of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill; and the clergy of the capital.
The liturgical hymns were sung by the Patriarchal Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (director I.B. Tolkachev).
Present in the cathedral was the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, L.E. Slutsky.
The TV channels Soyuz and Spas, as well as the official portal of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarchia.ru, broadcast the festal Patriarchal service live.
At the Litany of Fervent Supplication, petitions were offered for deliverance from the coronavirus infection.
After the Litany of Fervent Supplication, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church offered the prayer read during the spread of a harmful pestilence.
During the Liturgy, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill ordained to the priesthood Hierodeacon Platon (Kudlasevich), a monk of the Sretensky Stavropegial Monasteryand director of the Sretensky Monastery publishing house.
The sermon before communion was delivered by Archpriest Viktor Gusev, cleric of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” in Chertanovo, Moscow.
After the Liturgy, the glorification of the feast of the Meeting of the Lord was sung.
Then the Primate addressed the participants in the service with With the Primatial Word.
In recognition of his diligent archpastoral labors and in connection with his 50th birthday, His Holiness awarded Bishop Matthew of Sourozh the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 3rd class.
Presenting the award, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said: “The bishop labors in Great Britain and carries out a very responsible obedience, gathering his flock; and recently, due to circumstances connected with the restrictions which, unfortunately, clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church abroad experience, sometimes being unable to visit certain countries, he also cares for our flock in the United States. May God give you strength, fortitude and firmness in faith and in love for the Fatherland, so that your word may be wise and at the same time filled with spiritual power.”