The annual celebration of the anniversary of the Patriarchal enthronement embodies the prayerful unity of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and his flock, said Vladimir Legoyda, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media.
“Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly said that his “strength is increased by the prayer of many archpastors, shepherds, and the people of God.” Therefore, the celebration of the anniversary of his enthronement, in my opinion, also represents the prayerful unity of the Primate and the flock,” said Vladimir Legoyda in an interview with RIA Novosti.
Vladimir Legoyda continued that on this day a festive divine service is always performed, “at which the majority of the episcopate, many clerics and laity are present.” And even in the current situation, the head of the Synodal Department noted, when such service is not performed due to the coronavirus pandemic, “there are no such obstacles that would stand in the way of common prayer on this day.”
In addition, according to Vladimir Legoyda, the day of Patriarchal enthronement is also an occasion to remember the action in the Church of the Holy Spirit, “without which it would be impossible to elect a primate.”
“This is our faith, and it finds confirmation when we think about how difficult these years have been and what efforts they required from the Patriarch of the Russian Church. We believe that without the grace-filled help of God, the patriarchal cowl is absolutely unbearable,” said Vladimir Legoyda.
As for the Patriarchal ministry, Vladimir Legoyda noted, “the Patriarch sees his ministry in uniting the efforts of all believers, caring people for the sake of transforming our society based on mercy, love, and service.”
“I think that over the years of his work, he, like no one else, has learned to distinguish between people who declare an “opinion for the sake of an opinion” and those who really care about the welfare of the Church and the people. He always listens to the latter,” concluded the chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media.
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