Patriarch Kirill arrives in Belarus
Patriarch Kirill arrived in Belarus. Photo: Press Service of the Moscow Patriarchate
On June 20, 2026, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ arrived in the city of Brest on a primatial visit. At the airport, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church was welcomed by Metropolitan Veniamin, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Archbishop Ioann of Brest, the regional governor, and Russian Ambassador Boris Gryzlov, according to the press service of the Moscow Patriarchate.
The program of the visit includes several major liturgical and commemorative events. On Sunday, June 21, the Feast of the Synaxis of the Saints of Belarus, Patriarch Kirill will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Resurrection Cathedral in Brest. Accompanying the Primate are Metropolitan Grigory, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Bishop Alexy, his personal secretary.
Particular attention during the visit will be devoted to historical remembrance. Early in the morning of June 22, Patriarch Kirill will take part in a memorial gathering at the Brest Hero Fortress memorial complex. The event is dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.
As the UOJ reported, the European Union imposed sanctions on a metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church.
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