His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and His Holiness Patriarch Irinej attend concert performed on Red Square on the Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture
On 24 May 2018, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia arrived in the Red Square after the Divine Liturgy they celebrated in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to attend a festive concert dedicated to the Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church greeted the audience from the stage, saying: “It has become a good tradition to gather in the Red Square to ponder over the sources of our culture and of the long, dramatic and victorious path traversed by the Slavic nations, including the Russians.
“It is very important to remember the sources, as there would be no path without them, to remember our parents and our childhood, to know the history of our country and culture. We see ourselves as one nation when we are united by one language and common moral and spiritual values, on which human life is based.
“How good it is that we comprehend the importance of these sources and celebrate the commemoration day of Ss Cyril and Methodius Equal-to-the-Apostles in the capital of our Motherland!
“I wish you and all our people peace, fortitude of the spirit and ability to solve the problems we encounter in our life. I believe that we will achieve our goals and our path will be glorious/
“May the Lord keep our Fatherland and our people! Happy holiday!”
Presenters of the concert and Ms Olga Golodets, deputy chair of the Russian government, congratulated His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on his Nameday on behalf of all those present; a combined choir conducted by the honoured artist of Russia Alexei Puzakov sang “Many Year” by Sergei Prokofiev.
Some Russian cities, Sofia and Belgrade joined the Red Square by live transmission.
The concert, which was broadcast by “Kultura” TV channel, ended with the choir “Glory” from Mikhail Glinka’s opera “Ivan Susanin” and a display of fireworks.