Patriarch Kirill: Preserving the Faith and the Church Is the Key to the Country’s Prosperity

On July 18, 2026, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia presided over a solemn divine service at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, marking the feast of the discovery of the holy relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. In his sermon, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church emphasized the inseparable link between the spiritual unity of the people and the sovereignty of the state. This was reported by the “Life of the Church” portal at .

During the Liturgy, which took place on the Lavra’s Cathedral Square, the Patriarch was concelebrated by a large assembly of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches. Special guests included members of the delegation from the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia, representing Indonesia and Malaysia, who had come to Russia to strengthen fraternal ties.

Addressing the faithful, Patriarch Kirill recalled the historic feat of St. Sergius of Radonezh, who, through his humility and prayer, found spiritual strength that became a pillar of support for the entire country during fateful times.

“The most important thing is our personal responsibility to pass on the faith to our children and grandchildren,” the Primate emphasized. He called on Orthodox Christians, as well as those responsible for education and public administration, to realize that the country’s future directly depends on fidelity to spiritual ideals. The celebrations concluded with the Patriarch’s meeting with pilgrims and a ceremony for the presentation of church awards.

It should be recalled that Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, in his recent sermon , described the revival of the Orthodox faith in Russia as a miracle, contrasting this process with the situation in Western countries. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church emphasized that in the modern era, Christian values in Western Europe are being pushed out of public life.