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On 25 July 2010, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia arrived in Kiev and proceeded to the Dormition Laura of the Caves in Kiev. He was met at the holy gates by His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine; Archbishop Pavel of Vyshgorod, abbot of the Laura; Archbishop Anatoly of Borispol, rector of the Kiev Theological Academy, and brethren of the Laura. Many people have come to greet the Patriarch.

His Holiness proceeded to the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, where he venerated an icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God. The miraculous icon usually kept above the holy doors, was lowered on special straps.

The monks waited for the Patriarch at the square before the church. A photo was taken.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir addressed His Holiness the Patriarch, saying:

“Your Beatitude! The Dormition Laura of the Caves in Kiev is happy to greet you and invites you to offer up a prayer for the people of God…

“The brethren, father abbot, and I, an unworthy father superior of the Laura wish you to make many good deeds and help us to become perfect in social ministry. Bless us and pray for us so that God be with us, as it is a pledge of a worthy and pious life and hope for future life. Eis pollá éti, Despota!”

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said:

“Your Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir, the archimandrite of the Dormition Laura of the Caves in Kiev!

Your Eminences and Graces, dear fathers, brothers and sisters!

It is great joy to come to the Laura – a fount of monastic life of our Church, a centre of spiritual deeds that have penetrated people’s life for centuries and has shaped noble spiritual ideals and the image of Holy Russia. I thank you, Your Beatitude for the joy of communion with the brethren of the Laura of the Caves.

“I visited the Odessa and Dnepropetrovsk dioceses, met with their ruling and vicar bishops, with pious clergy, and many laymen. I must say that great changes have taken place since my first two patriarchal visit to Ukraine. I met with the scientists and politicians and felt that they trusted the Church profoundly. This trust stand high, as lot had been done in the 20th century to move secular people as far away from the Church as possible and to make them lose their trust and even an interest to her.

“There is a strong movement towards consolidation around the Mother Church. This is a testimony to the fact that the Church has survived in the hard years of her life, having grown spiritually, and now performs her apostolic mission to the people of Ukraine under your guidance.

“I am happy to see the brethren, whose number has increased compared with the last year. As I see your joyous and calm faces, I become confident in the power of monasticism that has sprang here and continues its ministry to save many.

“May the Lord keep the Church of the ancient Kiev – the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Mother Church of people. May the Lord pour His abundant grace upon the archpastors, pastors, monks, and all the believers. May this grace sustain and transform us and open the path to God for us. May God’s blessing be with you always. May the Lord keep you!”