The head of the Belgorod Metropolitanate took part in the patronal celebrations at the Trinity-Sergius Lavratranslated

With the blessing of Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol, on the days of the celebration of the discovery of the honorable relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, July 17 and 18, 2026, solemn services were held at the Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius, led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'. Among the concelebrant bishops, Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol, Head of the Belgorod Metropolis, took part in the services. On July 17, on the eve of the holiday, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrated an all-night vigil on the Cathedral Square of the Lavra in front of the revered icon of St. Sergius. The solemn service was performed on a specially constructed platform, and a throne was installed in front of the Assumption Cathedral under a canopy. The next day, July 18, on the very feast of the discovery of the honorable relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh (1422), the Primate of the Russian Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Cathedral Square. During both services, Metropolitan John concelebrated with His Holiness the Patriarch as part of the council of bishops. The liturgical chants were performed by the joint choir of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy under the direction of Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov). At the special litany during the Liturgy there were...