Patriarch Kirill celebrated the 50th anniversary of his episcopal ordination

on March 14, 2026, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the 50th anniversary of his hierarchical ordination. Solemn events were held in Moscow and included a Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, as well as a reception of congratulations from state and public figures.

According to the press service of the Russian Orthodox Church, on March 14, Patriarch Kirill prayed the Divine Liturgy in the Church of Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky in the hermitage near Peredelkin. The service was celebrated by Bishop Alexis of Ramensk, the Patriarch’s personal secretary. The next day, March 15, the Patriarch led the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, where special petitions were offered on the occasion of the anniversary. Metropolitan Yuvenaly (Poyarkov) read a prayer, and Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensk read a welcoming address from members of the Holy Synod.

Among those who congratulated the Patriarch were I.O. Shchegolev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District, who read a congratulatory message from Russian President V.V. Putin. Putin, as well as Deputy Chairman of the State Duma A.Yu. Kuznetsova, Head of the Federal Treasury R.E. Artyukhin, Hero of Russia E.O. Serova and others. Congratulations also came from the staff of the «Word of the Shepherd» program, which Patriarch Kirill has been hosting for more than 30 years.

Archimandrite Kirill’s (Gundyaev) episcopal ordination took place on March 14, 1976 in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in Leningrad. He became the youngest bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church at the age of 29. Over the years of his ministry, Patriarch Kirill has held various positions, including Rector of the Leningrad Theological Academy, Archbishop of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, and, finally, was elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in 2009.

Recall that on December 25, 2025, the Georgian Orthodox Church solemnly celebrated the 48th anniversary of the enthronement of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. Divine services and official events were held throughout the country to commemorate the nearly half-century-long ministry of the Primate, who played a key role in the spiritual revival and strengthening of Georgian society.