“Christianity in the history of Europe has always gone hand in hand with statehood”, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow said on July 28, 2025, the day commemorating the Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir and the Church-State holiday of the Baptism of Rus’.
The Patriarch led a prayer service at the monument of Saint Prince Vladimir in Borovitskaya Square, Moscow. After the service, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the faithful with a hierarchal sermon.
In his homily, he said: “Today, gathered at the monument of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir following the festive service at the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, we do not merely recall one of the greatest rulers of Rus’, glorified by the Church, we return to the very origins of the birth of the Russian Church and the Russian State.”
He also stressed the cooperation between the Russian State and the Church: “Christianity in the history of Europe has always gone hand in hand with statehood. A state that neglects its spiritual foundation destroys itself. Russian statehood is founded on a Christian basis, just as European statehood is. But unlike modern Europeans, we are not afraid to speak of this today, on the Day of the Baptism of Rus’.”
The Patriarch mentioned values like “authority” and “power” which, according to him, are inextricably linked with the Russian State: “On icons of Prince Vladimir, we see the cross and the sword. The sword is a sign of authority and power, a symbol of the state.”
Also, under the guise of defending a counrty and the faith, he said: “But if it is raised not to defend the faith, the people, and the homeland, it can easily become a weapon of destruction. I believe that each of us is a heir of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, a participant in his spiritual transformation. May this memory strengthen us in faithfulness to Christ, love, and dedication to Holy Rus’.”
Photos: Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia
