On July 17, the eve of the feast of the uncovering of the precious relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia arrived at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. In Holy Trinity Cathedral, where lie the precious relics of St. Sergius, the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church served Small Vespers with an akathist to the saint.
That evening, the Patriarch celebrated the All-Night Vigil on the cathedral square.
The next day, on the feast of the 600th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of the abbot of the Russian land, His Holiness celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Lavra. The festive service was celebrated on the cathedral square before the revered icon of St. Sergius.
Following the Liturgy, Patriarch Kirill, the members of the Holy Synod, and all the hierarchs who were present for the feast served a moleben to St. Sergius.
The primate of the Russian Church addressed his flock with a primatial word.
“By the prayers of our holy, venerable, and God-bearing father Sergius of Radonezh… may the Lord preserve our land, our Church, and most importantly, the Orthodox faith in the hearts of our people!” the Patriarch said in conclusion.
