Russian Patriarch Kirill visiting Serbia

Russian Patriarch Kirill visiting Serbia

The Russian patriarch was welcomed at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić, Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Chepurin and Serbian Orthodox church dignitaries.

This is Kirill's second visit to Serbia since his enthronement.

"I feel at home in Serbia," Patriarch Kirill said upon arriving at the Belgrade airport on Friday.

He attended a welcoming prayer in Belgrade's Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel, when Serbian Patriarch Irinej said that the visit was seen by the Serbian Church and the people as "a special gift from God and a great feast." The prayer was attended by Serbian and Russian religious dignitaries, and a large number of citizens.

Patriarch Irinej said that Kirill's planned trip to Kosovo and Metohija had to be canceled, and added:

"Although that visit will not take place, we firmly believe that there is love and prayers, especially for the suffering Serb people in the holy Serb land," he said of Kosovo.

Previously, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church's external relations announced that Kirill would not travel to Kosovo because he did not receive security guarantees, adding that the Russian Church continues to see Kosovo as the holy Serb land,and that this will be "one of the main topics of discussion in Belgrade."

Patriarch Kirill thanked his hosts for the welcome on Friday, and said he was "most sincerely happy to arrive to the dear and close to the heart Serbia," and added:

"The visit to Serbia holds great significance for me, and I always set foot on Serb soil with a special feeling. This is a peaceful visit and will be dedicated to joint prayers. It gives me spiritual joy to visit the good, honorable, and hospital Serb people who are bound with the people of Russia with love and brotherhood." According to announcements, the heads of Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches will discuss "the most important issues in the Christian world, and other issues related to the two Churches."

During his stay in Belgrade, Patriarch Kirill will receive an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Belgrade because of his outstanding contribution to this field. He will also meet with the Serbian president and prime minister.

On Saturday, patriarchs Irinej and Kirill will consecrate the monument to Tsar Nicholas II Romanov that has been recently set up in downtown Belgrade.

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia will lay a wreath at the monument to the Russian fallen in World War I at New Cemetery in Belgrade and hold a memorial service at the tomb of Patriarch Pavle in Rakovica. On Sunday, the two Patriarchs will hold a hierarchal divine liturgy at St. Sava's Cathedral in Belgrade.