Patriarch Kirill Arrived in Dnipropetrovsk
On July 24, 2010, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, being on an archpastoral visit to Ukraine, arrived to Dnipropetrovsk. At the airport he was welcomed by Metropolitan Irinei of Pavlohrad and Dnipropetrovsk, Metropolitan Hoilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol, Archbishop Efrem of Kryvyi Rih and Nikopol, Bishop Mytrofan of Horlivka and Sloviansk, Bishop Yevlohii of Novomoskovsk, Vicar Bishop of the Diocese of Dnipropetrovsk, clergymen of the Diocese of Dnipropetrovsk, reports the website of the patriarchal visit.
Among those meeting Patriarch Kirill were representatives of the authorities: head of the regional state administration A. Vilkul, chairman of the local council E. Udod, chairman of the city council I. Kulinichenko, and president of the Dnipropetrovsk regional association of local authorities Yurii Vilkul.
Accompanying the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church during his visit in Ukraine are Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Varsonofii of Mordovia and Saransk, chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokalamsk, deputy abbot of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery Archbishop Theognost of Sergiev-Posad, head of the administrative secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchy Bishop Sergius of Solnechnogorsk, chairman of the Synodal Department for the church and society relations archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, chairman of the Synodal Information Department V. Legoida.
The patriarch was greeted by girls in national Ukrainian costume and the guard of honor was lined up in the landing field.
At the airport Patriarch Kirill told journalists: "With a special feeling of joy and satisfaction I set foot on the soil of Dnipropetrovsk, glorious by its history and its present. The city of Dnipropetrovsk, the third city of Ukraine, is known worldwide as a center of advanced technology and innovative scientific knowledge. The future of Ukraine as a highly developed state in technical and scientific relations of the state is connected to the city. But for me as pastor the power of the people's faith who live here is of special importance. For centuries those who lived on this land defended Orthodoxy, were faithful to it, and built their lives on it, as well as their worldview and relations with the world around. I'd like to wish the Dnipropetrovsk residents with all of my heart to keep this great tradition which is vital for the human being – the tradition of the strong faith and firm knowledge. God save all of you!"
