Address by the Head of the Krasnoyarsk Metropolis to the participants of the gala evening-concert within the framework of the XXXI Krasnoyarsk regional festival of spiritual culture “Pokrovsky Meetings”translated

Dear friends, organizers, participants and guests of the festival!

I cordially welcome you all to the gala evening-concert dedicated to the XXXI Krasnoyarsk regional festival of spiritual culture “Pokrovsky Meetings”!

For more than three decades, “Pokrovsky Meetings” have been gathering under its umbrella cultural figures, educators, clergy and everyone who holds dear the heritage of Holy Rus'. And today, in the year of significant anniversaries, we testify again: the spiritual thirst for Orthodox creativity, beauty and the search for truth in the hearts of Krasnoyarsk residents does not fade.

On the eve of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the birth of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', we remember with gratitude his primate visits to the Krasnoyarsk land. These visits became significant milestones in the life of the Krasnoyarsk flock, strengthened us in faith and inspired us to further work for the glory of the Church and the Fatherland.

Looking back at the path we have traveled, we see how much has been done over the years. The 165th anniversary of the Krasnoyarsk diocese is not just a date, it is an entire era of creation, testing and revival. Behind this figure are thousands of destinies, churches, parishes, missionary works and tireless care for human souls on the banks of the great Yenisei...