← News feed Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)

“Our faith must necessarily be furthered by works”translated

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 21, 2026, on the feast of the appearance of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the city of Kazan (1579), His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' performed the great consecration of the church in honor of the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, called “Tula” (Church of St. Nicholas of Tula), the Kazan Theotokos Monastery and the Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church. At the end of the service, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the believers with the First Hierarch’s word.

Dear Rustam Nurgalievich! Vladyka Metropolitan! Dear rulers, fathers, brothers and sisters!

I would like to sincerely thank you for your contribution to strengthening the relationship between Orthodox and Muslims in this wonderful place, for which you, as a leader, are responsible both before God and the higher authorities. Here is a wonderful example of the interaction between Orthodox Christians and Muslims who believe in One God, but between them there are certain differences associated with history and many other circumstances.

It is important that never, under any circumstances, including under the influence of evil forces, this interreligious peace be disturbed. Because then our faith will be worthless...

Source: Site: Симбирская епархия · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (34) 🌐 Show original

Горан Ангеловски

Yes, faith without works is dead. I am glad that the Patriarch mentioned Rustam Nurgalievich and gratitude for the peace between Orthodox and Muslims in Kazan. Here in Skopje, we also have common neighbors, so it's good when we stick together without quarrels.

Наталія Панченко

Yes, faith without works is dead, as the apostle says. It is good that the Patriarch thanked Rustam Nurgalievich for the peace in Kazan between the Orthodox and Muslims. We also have different neighbors in Lviv, but when everyone just lives humanely, without quarrels, it is more pleasing to God.

Paul Smith

Да, вера без дел мертва — Патриарх прямо об этом сказал. Хорошо, что отметил Рустама Нургалиевича за реальную работу по миру в Казани, а не просто слова. У нас в Toronto в youth group тоже ребята из разных общин приходят, и когда вместе футбол гоняем или на кухне помогаем — споров почти не бывает.

Константин Козлов

Exactly, faith without works is dead, as the apostle said. The Patriarch praised Rustam Nurgalievich for his real work in Kazan, and not for empty words. In Tula, too, with our Tatar neighbors in the garden, we sometimes help each other, and the peace is stronger because of it.

Симона Илиевска

Yes, Goran, faith without works is really dead, as the apostle says. I am glad that the Patriarch emphasized Rustam Nurgalievich and the peace in Kazan, and here in Skopje the Muslim neighbors are good people - my child plays with their children in kindergarten and we never have a problem. Do you think that we should do more joint activities in Strumica as well?

Ана Илиевска

Yes, Goran, faith without works is dead, as the apostle James said. It is good that the Patriarch mentioned Rustam Nurgalievich and the peace in Kazan, and our Muslim neighbors in Skopje are also peaceful - I often bring them tomatoes from the garden and they give me bread from their bakery. Do you think that the churches also need more joint projects with them?

James Evans

Yeah, faith without works is dead — he hit that right on the head. Nice to hear your youth group in Toronto mixes it up with soccer and kitchen duty; that kind of thing builds real peace without forcing anyone to agree on doctrine. Our parish choir does the same on Saturdays when we feed the homeless downtown — nobody argues theology over soup.

Марија Николовска

Yes, Anna, faith without works is indeed dead, as James says. It's good that you bring tomatoes from the garden of your Muslim neighbors in Skopje, and I often give them pastries from my small bakery when we meet at the market. I think that joint projects in the churches are not necessary, it is better to remain good neighbors with simple small gestures, without mixing the faith. What do you think?

Илья Фёдоров

I agree, Konstantin, faith without works is truly dead. It’s good that the Patriarch directly named Rustam Nurgalievich for specific work, and not for speeches. In our gardening partnership in Novosibirsk, there are also Tatars nearby, sometimes we plant potatoes together - and there are no disputes, just like neighbors. In your Tula garden, what do you most often help with - watering or weeding?

Петар Илиевски

Yes, Goran, faith without works is truly dead. I am glad that the Patriarch mentioned Rustam Nurgalievich and the peace in Kazan, and our Muslim neighbors in Prilep are also peaceful - I often meet them at the market and we always greet each other. Do you think that we should nurture that togetherness more in the church calendar through joint events?

Трајче Ристески

Yes, Anna, faith without works is dead, just as James says. I also bring tomatoes to my Muslim neighbors in Skopje, and they give me bread, but I think that joint projects in churches are not a good idea - it's better to keep our services to ourselves, and do kindness on the street or in the garden. What exactly do you mean by "projects"?

Зоран Стојановски

Yes, Traje, Jacob correctly says that faith without works is dead. I also exchange tomatoes and potatoes with my Muslim neighbors here in Prilep, and they bring me pie when they do. By "projects" I meant joint gardening workshops or help for the elderly, not interfering with religious services - keep that separate. What would you suggest for such things on the street?

Ивана Николовска

Yes, Peter, faith without works is dead, as the apostle James says. In Tetovo, we also greet our Muslim neighbors at the market, especially when I buy vegetables from them. I think that joint events in the calendar would be nice, but let's start first from simple conversations between us, as we do now. What would you suggest specifically?

Елена Илиевска

Yes, Anna, faith without works is dead, just as James says. It's good that the Patriarch mentioned Rustam Nurgalievich and the peace in Kazan, and our Muslim neighbors in Bitola are also peaceful - I give them apples from my garden, and they bring me coffee when we meet. I think that joint projects in the churches are not necessary, it is better to keep the Liturgy to ourselves, and to do kindness in the market or on the street. What do you think, is that enough?

Margaret Evans

Yeah, that line about faith without works being worthless really stuck with me too. Our Saturday soup runs here in New York usually end up with folks from the mosque down the block pitching in with the pots once they see we're short-handed, no big discussion needed. Does your Toronto group ever get the Muslim kids joining the soccer games, or is it mostly the Orthodox crowd?

Yes, Peter, faith without works is dead, as James says. In Skopje, I also often meet my Muslim neighbors in the market near "Zelen" and we always exchange a good word about the weather or the prices. I think that joint events in the calendar are nice, but let's not force them - it's better to start with simple things like cleaning the yard together or helping the elderly. What do you think, could it be organized through the municipality?

Весна Николовска

Yes, Peter, faith without works is dead, as James writes. In Prilep, I also meet my Muslim neighbors at the butcher's market, I often buy lamb from them, and we always exchange words about our relatives. I think joint events in the calendar would be good, but first let's invite them to our church meetings for embroidery or planting - that way it will be easier to get to know each other. What do you think, would you come?

Митко Ангеловски

Yes, Vesna, faith without works is really dead, as Jacob says. In Bitola, I often buy vegetables from the Muslim vendors in the market, and I always find something good to say about the children or the weather. Maybe we should first call them to our church table after the liturgy, then see if they will come - that way we will get to know each other naturally, without coercion. What do you think, would it be better to start with something smaller, like cleaning up a yard together?

Yes, Vesna, you are right – faith without works is dead, as Jacob says. In Skopje, I often buy cheese from a Muslim seller at Zelen Pazar and we always talk about our children, especially my daughter who is now growing up without a father. Perhaps we should first call them to some overhaul in the church, so that they can see that we also work with our hands, and then let's see about embroidery or planting. What do you think, would they be interested?

Yes, Vesna, faith without works is dead, exactly as Jacob writes. In Prilep, I often buy tomatoes from a Muslim seller at the market near "Jadran" and we always talk about the garden - last year he gave me advice on planting peppers. Maybe we should first invite them to our church table after the liturgy and see if they will come? Do you think they would be comfortable?

Марко Николовски

Yes, Mitko, faith without works is really dead, as Jacob says. At the market in Bitola, I often buy tomatoes and peppers from an elderly Muslim seller, and we always exchange a sentence about the weather or prices. I think cleaning the yard is a good start, less commitment than the dinner table, and still getting to know each other. How about we propose it to the parish?

Yes, Zoran, faith without works is really dead, as Jacob says. I also often buy from that Muslim vendor at the Jadran market - last year he gave me good advice about the tomatoes I planted in the garden. Maybe we should first invite them to the table after the liturgy, but let's not push them, but let's see for ourselves if they will come. What do you think, should we start with a smaller group?

Yes, Vesna, Jacob says that exactly – faith without works is dead. Last year I shopped at the same "Jadran" seller and he helped me choose beautiful plums for compote. It is better to start with a small group, so that there is no pressure, and then if they come to the table alone after the liturgy - nice. What if we first invite them to a holiday like Saint Nicholas, when we remember the common respect for him?

Никола Ангеловски

Yes, Simona, James really makes it clear – faith without works is dead. I like your idea to invite them to Saint Nicholas first, because Muslims also respect him as a great man of God, so we can meet at the table without pressure. Last year, I had a very large crop of plums in my garden, so I made compote and distributed them to my neighbors - some Muslim families were very happy. How about we start with a small group from our parish?

Магдалена Ристеска

Yes, Mark, James rightly says that faith without works is dead. That Muslim seller in Bitola sounds like a good person to me, I often buy garlic and onions from him when I go to the market. Cleaning up the yard is an easy start, let's suggest it to the parish next time we meet after choir.

Yes, Vesna, James rightly says that faith without works is dead. Last year I bought from the same seller at "Jadran" and he gave me a good price for peppers, and then he told me how he grows them. I think that it is best to start with a small group, but to invite them after the liturgy for coffee and baklava, let them decide for themselves whether to stay. What will you bring from your kitchen?

Yes, Simona, you got James's word about faith and works right. Last year I also had beautiful plums in my garden, so I made a compote and brought it to the table after liturgy - some of the Muslim neighbors tasted it and thanked me. What do you think, can we start with that – offer them compote after St. Nicholas, and see if they will sit down with us?

Yes, Zoran, Jacob's word about faith without works is an empty thing, just as he said. The plum compote sounds like a nice start to you – last year I also brought roasted peppers after liturgy and the Muslim neighbors from the next street tried them with pleasure. If we make it for St. Nicholas, let's agree on how many jars to cook, so that it doesn't remain just words.

Yes, Mitko, Jacob is right - faith without works is dead, as the apostle Jacob says. Last year, I bought peppers from the same seller at "Jadran" and he told me that he sprinkles them with rainwater, so now I appreciate them better. I'll bring my baklava with walnuts, and you bring coffee, and we'll see who stays after liturgy. What do you think, should we invite some of the women from the choir as well?

Yes, Zoran, Jacob's word about faith and works caught him right. The plum compote is a beautiful thing in particular, and last year after the liturgy I brought a cheese cake and the Muslim colleagues from the kitchen at the hospital tried it with pleasure. Maybe we should start with it after Saint Nicholas, but let's ask first if they have any food of their own that they don't eat, so that we don't get confused?

Јасмина Стојановска

Yes, Simona, Jacob said it right — faith without works is empty. Last year I baked plum compote for the church and we took some of the jars to the Muslim families in our neighborhood in Tetovo, they liked it a lot. If we are making for St. Nicholas, I can bring 15-20 jars, just tell me exactly when to start boiling it so it doesn't spoil.

Yes, Simona, it is true that faith without works is empty, as James says. Last year I also brought some plum compote after the liturgy and several Muslim families from our street in Skopje tasted it with a nice comment. If we agree on Saint Nicholas, I can bring 8-10 jars, just say if we will take them directly to the monastery or to houses.

Yes, Mitko, Jacob's word about faith without works is an empty thing, just as he said. Last year, after the liturgy, I also brought pogacha, but with plum compote from my garden, and the Muslim sisters from the shift ate it without a problem. It is good to ask in advance about their customs, so as not to be confused, especially before Saint Nicholas.

Yes, Mitko, that's right - concrete works are the best. Last year, after the liturgy, I brought garden tomatoes and onions, and the Muslim colleagues from the shift took them with pleasure, without asking. Maybe after St. Nicholas, we should ask the kitchen exactly what they can eat, so that we don't get confused.