Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia visits the stauropegic Valaam Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior, from 8 to 11 July 2019.
The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Russia, chaired by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, met on July 9, at the Sunday temple of St. Vladimir, Grand Prince of Kiev of the homonymous hermitage of the Monastery.
At the beginning of the session, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Russia addressed the Synodal Chiefs as follows:
“Most esteemed and Your Eminences, dear brothers. I welcome you with my heart to the Valaam Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior.
Valaam is a holy place, sealed by the passage of many generations of monks. It is our Russian Mount Athos, but as opposed to the warm climate of Mount Athos, Valaam is washed by the icy waters of Lake Ladoga.
This created special conditions for the ascetic life, so by visiting the Valaam you find out that the power of the human spirit, of a spirit deprived of all physical, political and economic power, created this great miracle.
This holy monastery was founded by some ascetics, followed by a very complicated story, but we see that human hands, motivated by deep faith and devotion to God, have perfected these majestic temples, in order for Valaam to become the Russian Mount Athos of the North.
I believe that it is right to hold a meeting of the supreme organ of the ecclesiastical power, that is, the Holy Synod here, in this holy place. I welcome all of you.”
