Primate of the Orthodox Church of Czech Lands and Slovakia to come to Russia for the first official visit

At the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, His Beatitude Archbishop Krystof of Prague, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, will come to Russia for his first official visit from January 24 to 29, 2007.

His Beatitude will be accompanied by Archbishop Simeon of Olomouc and Brno and Archpriest Ladislav Bily, chancellor of the Metropolitan’s Council of the Presev diocese.

During his stay in the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Krystof will celebrate the Divine Liturgy on the Commemoration Day of St. Tatiana at the Church of St. Nicholas-at-Kulishki, the Moscow Metochion of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.

On January 26, an official meeting between Metropolitan Krystof and Patriarch Alexy will take place at the patriarchal residence in the Monastery of St. Daniel.

On January 27, Metropolitan Krystof will visit St. Sergius’ Laura of the Trinity for the All-Night Vigil.

On January 28, His Holiness Alexy and His Beatitude Krystof will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Christ the Saviour.

On January 29, Metropolitan Krystof will take part in the opening of International Christmas Readings XV at the State Kremlin Palace.

Background note: The Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia was granted autocephaly by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1951. His Beatitude Krystof was elected head of this Church in May 2006. He is its 5th primate.

Metropolitan Krystof was born in 1953 in Prague. He was ordained deacon in 1974 and later priest. He graduated from the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Presev in 1979 and from the Moscow Theological Academy in 1984. He also studied at the Department of theology of Athens University, graduating it in 1987.

He took monastic vows in 1985 at St. Sergius’ Laura of the Trinity in 1985 with the name of Krystof. In 1987 His Beatitude Metropolitan Dorotej elevated him to the rank of archimandrite. He carried out his parish service at the Cathedral of Sts Cyril and Methodius in Prague.

In 1988, he was consecrated Bishop of Olomouc and Brno. In 2000, after the death of His Beatitude Metropolitan Dorotej he was elected Archbishop of Prague and the Czech Lands and appointed head of the Metropolitan’s Council.

Metropolitan Krystof has participated in numerous theological conferences. He is engaged in research and teaching. He is a holder of the degree of Doctor of Theology and Philosophy. He speaks Russian, Greek, German and English.

DECR Communication Service