Patriarch Kirill will travel to Serbia and Montenegro
Moscow, October 4, Interfax – Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is expected to visit the Serbian Orthodox Church from October 4 to October 7 to attend celebrations marking the 1,700th anniversary of the signing of the Edict of Milan by Roman Emperor St. Constantine, who recognized the legitimacy of the Christian faith and granted all citizens of Rome freedom in matters of religious belief, the Patriarch’s press service said. Upon arrival in Belgrade, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church will meet with Patriarch of Serbia Irinej and visit Rakovica Monastery, where Serbian Patriarchs Dimitrije and Pavle were buried.
On October 5, Patriarch Kirill will visit the city’s St. Michael’s Cathedral, and will then attend a reception at the Serbian Patriarchate headquarters. Patriarch Kirill will also be present at an official dinner to be given by Serbia’s President Tomislav Nikolic on the occasions of the Edict of Milan anniversary festivities. On the same day, the Russian Orthodox Church leader will travel to the town of Nis, where the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is located. On October 6, the heads of the local Orthodox Churches will conduct a religious service at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Nis. Celebrations will also take place in Montenegro’s Podgorica, including on the square outside the city’s Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. A church will be consecrated in Podgorica on October 7, after which Patriarch Kirill will return to Moscow.
