Moscow, February 1, 2024
The enthronement of Patriarch Kirill, 2009. Photo: patriarchia.ru
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the 15th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia as the primate of the Church today, reports Foma.
His primatial enthronement took place on February 1, 2009, in Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, after his election by the Local Council (consisting of all hierarchs as well as clerical and lay representatives of the Russian Church on January 27.
The enthronement of Patriarch Kirill, 2009. Photo: patriarchia.ru
In his word on the fifth anniversary of his enthronement in 2014, the Patriarch spoke about the weight of the Patriarchal ministry:
The Patriarchal Cross is difficult, and the symbol of this work is the great Patriarchal paraman. But at the same time, the Lord accompanies this service with great joys. And the main joy for me is the opportunity to celebrate the Divine services in any church of the Russian Orthodox Church, in any monastery, at the great holy sites, to visit the wonderful holy places of our Church, coming into contact with the Divine grace flowing from them, and filling my mind and my soul with all that comes from real Church life, absorbing the signals that are so important for the Patriarch, which come from the people, from the flock, from the archpastors, from the monastics. It is this spiritual flow that is the most important influence that is exerted on the Patriarch.
An enthronement is a solemn ceremony during which the newly elected bishop is elevated to his cathedra. It takes place during the Divine Liturgy with the vesting of the hierarch in the liturgical robes corresponding to his rank.
The enthronement of Patriarch Kirill, 2009. Photo: patriarchia.ru
Traditionally, the enthronement of the Patriarch is celebrated as a Churchwide feast.
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