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.
Read also
TRC officers abduct priest of UOC's Zymne Monastery
The UOC cleric was reportedly taken by force to Lutsk.
UOC faithful publish appeal to Athonite monks visiting OCU
UOC faithful have called on the Athonite monks not to support the seizure of the Lavra or the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Journalist: Zelensky has done more to destroy the UOC than Poroshenko
A Ukrainian journalist said that Zelensky "declared war" on the UOC in 2022.
Dumenko to Athonite abbot: We're freeing Lavra from shackles of "Russian world"
Responding to the guest from Athos, the head of the OCU said that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is being "freed" from the "false teaching of the Russian world" and is returning to "true service."
Abbot of New Esphigmenou at Lavra: OCU is a "deep spiritual movement"
Athonite Archimandrite Bartholomew, attending a celebration at the Lavra, assured attendees that the creation of the OCU was not a political act.
Serbian Church condemns verdict against Patriarch Porfirije in Slovenia
The Holy Synod of the Serbian Church called the Ljubljana court's ruling against the Primate unlawful.