Patriarch Kirill lays a wreath to the Eternal Flame at the Kremlin Wall

Moscow, May 8, Interfax – Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia paid tribute to the memory of soldiers fallen in the Great Patriotic War.

To the mournful music played by the honour guards orchestra, Patriarch laid a wreath to the Eternal Flame burning at the Kremlin wall. The Orthodox cross of yellow flowers against the red background is laid in the center of the wreath.

Over 500 members of the Russian Orthodox clergy, archbishops and bishops in black vestments joined Patriarch in this ceremony.

After the wreath was laid, the military orchestra played the Anthem of Russia, and the clergy choir sang the hymns “Memory Eternal” and “Christ Is Risen from the Dead”.

In closing, Patriarch addressed the guards of honour wishing them “to live up to the memory of the fallen soldiers and those who gave their lives for the freedom of our country,” and congratulated the soldiers with the coming Victory Day.

The guards answered Patriarch chattering their gun stocks on the pavement.

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