On July 28, 2026, the commemoration day of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir and the ecclesiastical and state holiday of the Baptism of Rus’, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in the Moscow Kremlin.
A reliquary containing a portion of the holy relics of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir was brought from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior to the Cathedral of the Dormition. The sacred relic was placed in the cathedral to the right of the Royal Doors.
The Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, which convened from June 24 to 29, 2008, decided, in honor of the Baptism of Rus’, that on the feast day of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, July 28, “Divine services shall be celebrated according to the order of a great feast, rendering due honor to the baptizer of Rus’.”
Before the beginning of the Divine Service, the Patriarch venerated the reliquary containing a portion of the holy relics of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir.
During the Divine Liturgy, prayers were offered by abbesses, monks, and nuns of stavropegic monasteries, servicemen of the Presidential Regiment, Cossacks of the Central Cossack Host, members of the “Patriarchal Volunteers” movement, parishioners of Moscow churches, and pilgrims.
The liturgical hymns were performed by the youth choir of the Moscow Kremlin Cathedrals under the direction of A.M. Kharkova.
During the service, several petitions and exclamations were proclaimed in the Arabic language.
The Divine Liturgy was broadcast live on the television channels “Soyuz” (“Union”) and “Spas” (“Savior”), as well as on the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarchia.ru.
During the Little Entrance, by decree of Patriarch Kirill and based on the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of July 16, 2026 (Journal No. 53), Bishop Ignatius of Perm and Kungur was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan in connection with his appointment as head of the Metropolis of Perm.
Based on the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of March 12, 2026 (Journal No. 20), Hieromonk Daniel (Konstantinov), who had been serving as acting abbot of the stavropegic Zaikonospassky Monastery, was elevated to the rank of Abbot following his confirmation in the position of abbot of the monastery, and was presented with the abbatial staff.
Following this, special petitions were offered for the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who celebrated his name day on that day:
“Again we pray for the President of our country, Russia, Vladimir Vladimirovich, who celebrates his name day today, that the Lord may grant him from above strength and wisdom for governance and justice, that he may rule our country well, establish peace and prosperity within it, and turn its enemies and adversaries to fear and flight; let us all say: Lord, have mercy.
Again we pray that, through Thy goodness and mercy, Thou wouldst look upon the army and all the defenders of our Fatherland, who in times of trial lay down their souls for their neighbors, and reveal to them and to us Thy almighty help; let us all say: Lord, have mercy.
Again we pray that Thou wouldst enlighten with the light of Thy divine wisdom those whose hearts have become hardened, strengthen Thy faithful ones, and preserve them in harmony and unity. We beseech Thee, All-Merciful Lord: have mercy and compassion.”
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church then offered a prayer for the President celebrating his name day:
“Lord Jesus Christ, our God, God of all mercy and compassion, whose mercy is immeasurable and whose ocean of loving-kindness is unfathomable!
Falling before Thy greatness with fear and trembling, as unworthy servants, we offer thanksgiving to Thy goodness for Thy blessings bestowed upon the President of our country, Vladimir Vladimirovich, who celebrates his name day today.
As Lord, Master, and Benefactor, we glorify Thee, we praise Thee, we sing unto Thee, and we magnify Thee; and again, falling before Thee, we give thanks, humbly beseeching Thy boundless and ineffable mercy.
As Thou hast now deemed it worthy to receive the prayers of Thy servants and graciously fulfill them, so grant also that the President of our country, Vladimir Vladimirovich, who is honored today, may receive Thy blessings, that he may advance in Thy love, in sincere love toward others, and in every virtue.
Preserve our country, Russia, which is governed by him, delivering it from every evil circumstance and granting it peace and tranquility.
And grant that we may always offer thanksgiving and proclaim words of goodness and praise unto Thee, the God who is glorified together with Thy eternal Father and Thy Most Holy, Good, and Consubstantial Spirit, in the one and undivided being of the Holy Trinity:
Glory to Thee, O God and our Benefactor, unto ages of ages.”
Afterwards, the Patriarch read a prayer for “Holy Rus’.”
The sermon before Holy Communion was delivered by Protopresbyter Vasily Gelevan, a cleric of the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in Sokolniki, Moscow.
Following the completion of the Divine Service, the Primate addressed the faithful with his Patriarchal message.
According to established tradition, after the Divine Liturgy a procession was held from the Cathedral of the Dormition to the monument of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir, followed by a solemn prayer service on Borovitskaya Square.
The reliquary containing a portion of the holy relics of Saint Prince Vladimir was carried in procession to Borovitskaya Square, and after the prayer service, the faithful were given the opportunity to venerate the sacred relic.
