Patriarch Kirill’s Visit to Crimea Ended with Blessing of Sebastopol Citizens in Nakhimov Square
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia blessed the faithful who gathered in Nakhimov square in the center of Sebastopol.
Having left the building of the city state administration after the meeting with Sebastopol’s governor Sergey Kunitsyn, the Patriarch walked along the security cordon, blessing and greeting the believers.
The assembly greeted the Patriarch with exclamations “Our patriarch is Kirill”, “Russia’ , “Thank You”.
According to the data of the first deputy of the state administration of Sebastopol Vladimir Karazin, more than 100 thousand of people took part in the events with the patriarch’s participation.
By his information, more than 65 thousand of people gathered in Chersonese by St. Vladimir Cathedral to see the Divine liturgy conducted by the Patriarch and 25 more thousands were waiting for the Primate in the center of the city in Nakhimova square. “Moreover, at least 15 thousand were listening for the service in the streets adjoining Chersonese”, said Karazin.
According to him, the believers started to arrive to the city a few days before the event.
The displays which broadcast the divine service were of much help for the pilgrims”, noted the official.
The festivities in Sebastopol completed the stay of the ROC Primate in Crimea. In the evening the Patriarch will flight to Rivne in West Ukraine. According to the schedule, His Holiness will call to the Cathedral of Resurrection upon arrival.
