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In the evening of January 7, 2020, the feast of the Nativity of the Lord God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Great Compline at the Cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.

His Holiness was assisted by a great number of bishops, priests and abbots. Among his concelebrants were also representatives of Local Orthodox Churches to the Moscow Patriarchal Throne, including Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, representative of the Orthodox Church of Antioch; Bishop Anthony of Moravici, Serbian Orthodox Church; Archimandrite Stephan (Dispirakis), Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, Archimandrite Feoktist (Dimirov), Bulgarian Orthodox Church; Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemyatovsky), Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia; Archpriest Daniel Andreyuk, Orthodox Church in America.

Among the worshippers were abbesses, Moscow clergy, members of parish councils, staff members of synodal departments, and numerous believers. Present in the church was also the chairman of the State Duma committee for developing the civil society and for relations with public and religious associations.

The Patriarchal service was broadcast live by the TV Tsentr and Soyuz TV channels with commentaries made by Prof. A. Svetozarsky, Moscow Theological Academy.

Patriarch Kirill read the Gospel pericope from the old gospel of the time of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, which is brought out of the sanctuary twice a year for the Nativity and Pascha Great Compline.

After the service, Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutisty and Kolomna extended compliments of the season to Patriarch Kirill on behalf of the Holy Synod and all the worshippers, saying in particular, “Your Holiness, you address not only the faithful of the Church of Christ, but also show spiritual concern the salvation of the world and each human… We have invariably heard your primatial words and wise advice with analysis of what is going on in the world and in the Russian Orthodox Church”.

Patriarch Kirill also received flowers from theological students and young worshippers.

His Holiness addressed himself to the congregation with a primatial homily.

He also congratulated Metropolitan Juvenaly on the 60th anniversary of his ministry in holy orders and presented him with a pectoral icon.

Then, according to tradition, the clergy and laity of the diocese of Moscow extended congratulations to Patriarch Kirill as their ruling bishop.

Patriarchal Press Service

DECR Communication Service

Photos by Patriarchal Press Service