His Holiness Patriarch Kirill chairs meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church
On October 13, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church held its regular session in the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence at St. Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the Synod members with an opening speech, Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia reports.
“Today we have rather extensive agenda with 20 items on it, and each of them will require our attention,” His Holiness said.
“The Holy Synod convenes at a time that cannot be called peaceful,” he continued, “Therefore the task of the Church, which has always been and will always be a peace-making force, is to ease the existing tension through its prayers, its work and its positive influence on society, and to do everything within its power to mitigate the conflicts that can lead to unpredictable consequences.”
“Indeed, we are going through a period of great historical importance, and the Church as a peace-making force, as a force that has been given the Divine grace to pacify people and strengthen them in spiritual life, must pray ever more fervently for all the countries making up the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church,” Patriarch Kirill emphasized in his speech.
“Let us pray that the Lord show His mercy and let us as the Church spare no effort lest the conflicts which, regrettably, have already become a reality, lead to the consequences that may have the most serious effect on the life of our peoples. Pray God that the Divine justice prevail and peace be restored in our hearts,” His Holiness said in conclusion.
