Brest, Brest Province, Belarus, June 23, 2026
Photo: patriarchia.ru
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia led the celebration of the Synaxis of All Saints of Belarus on Sunday, June 21 in Brest, during a pastoral visit to Belarus.
His Holiness was concelebrated at Holy Resurrection Cathedral by His Eminence Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, together with 16 bishops from Belarus, two bishops from Russia, and local and visiting clergy, reports the Belarusian Church.
The Liturgy was broadcast live online and on Belarusian TV:
Some of the faithful followed the service via large screens installed in the square in front of the cathedral.
Following the Liturgy, a glorification service was held in honor of the Belarusian saints.
Met. Benjamin greeted the Patriarch and presented him with a facsimile edition of a 15th-century Gospel from the Minsk Holy Spirit Monastery. His Eminence Archbishop John of Brest and Kobrin then greeted the Patriarch and presented him with an icon depicting the Venerable Martyr Athanasius of Brest and the Kupyatits Icon of the Mother of God.
Photo: patriarchia.ru
Pat. Kirill presented the Resurrection Cathedral with an icon of Christ the Savior, and donated Passion Gospels to the churches of the Brest Diocese. He awarded Met. Benjamin two episcopal Panagias and a Cross, and presented Abp. John with a commemorative Panagia.
In recognition of her support for the Belarusian Orthodox Church, the Patriarch awarded Deputy Prime Minister Petkevich the Order of Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, Second Degree.
All participants in the service received icons of the Smolensk Mother of God with the Patriarchal blessing.
Photo: patriarchia.ru
The Resurrection Cathedral was built to mark the 50th anniversary of Victory in the WWII and is the largest church in Brest and one of the largest in the country. It stands 135 feet to the base of its cross, with a bell tower of 155 feet. The upper Resurrection Church accommodates more than 2,000 worshipers, and the lower Kazan Church up to 1,500. The cathedral was consecrated on June 24, 2001, by His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II.
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