Patriarch Kirill of Moscow celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the Dormition Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin on August 28, 2026.
This year marks the 700th anniversary of the laying of the cathedral’s foundation stone.
During the service, Archimandrite Joseph (Pashentsev), a cleric of the Diocese of Barysh, was consecrated Bishop of Skadovsk and Oleshky. Elected by the Holy Synod on July 16, he will head the Diocese of Skadovsk, which was established in December 2023.
Several hierarchs and clergy concelebrated with Patriarch Kirill, while representatives of public institutions, members of monastic communities and numerous faithful attended the service.
Special petitions and a prayer were offered to mark the cathedral’s anniversary. The Patriarch also recited the prayer for Holy Rus’.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Kirill offered guidance to the newly consecrated bishop and presented him with the episcopal staff. Bishop Joseph subsequently gave his first episcopal blessing to the faithful.
Following the presentation of ecclesiastical awards, a procession took place around the cathedral.
Addressing the faithful, Patriarch Kirill referred to the cathedral’s historical and spiritual significance, noting that prayers had been offered there for seven centuries, including during periods of conflict and persecution.
He recalled that the cathedral was turned into a museum during the Soviet era but argued that it had never entirely lost its sacred character, as visitors continued to pray there, even in secret.
The Patriarch also called for prayers for Russia, its authorities, armed forces and President Vladimir Putin, as well as for the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox faithful.
“Under the protection of the Theotokos, may our country be protected from every enemy and may the Orthodox faith be strengthened among all the children of Rus’,” he concluded.
Source: Patriarchate of Moscow
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