Patriarch Kirill visited Metropolitan Mitrofan of Gorlovka and Slavyansk, who had been wounded

On September 1, 2026, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia visited the St. Alexius Central Clinical Hospital, where Metropolitan Mitrofan of Gorlovka and Slavyansk is receiving treatment. His Eminence was injured as a result of a drone attack on the grounds of the Epiphany Cathedral in Gorlovka on August 23.

During the meeting , Patriarch Kirill expressed his support for the injured bishop, noting his courage and dedication to his pastoral duties. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church emphasized that what happened to the metropolitan constitutes “martyrdom,” arising from His Eminence’s firm stance amid the current trials. Patriarch Kirill expressed confidence that qualified medical care would help the metropolitan make a full recovery so he could continue his important ministry.

Metropolitan Mitrofan provided a detailed account of the incident. The attack occurred as a prayer service was concluding at the premises of the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission. Thanks to the Metropolitan’s decisive actions—he managed to warn the volunteers present of the danger and instructed them to disperse—mass casualties were avoided. The Metropolitan himself tried to dodge the blast, but the drone exploded in his immediate vicinity.

At the conclusion of his visit, the Patriarch thanked the doctors at St. Alexius Hospital for their work and wished Metropolitan Mitrofan a speedy recovery and God’s help.