Address by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan at the Presentation of the Published Works of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’

Just recently, on February 1, we prayerfully commemorated the 16th anniversary of the enthronement of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’. This occasion provides a good opportunity once again to reflect on the path taken by the Russian Orthodox Church and its Primate in recent years.

From his youth, following the example of his pious ancestors and drawing inspiration from the zealous labors of his spiritual mentor, the ever-memorable Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), the future Primate chose the difficult but salvific path of serving the Lord and His people. His faith, strengthened during the times of turmoil and persecution against the Church of Christ, became a firm foundation for all of his subsequent constructive work as our Patriarch—a good steward of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10). We can confidently testify that the Almighty placed His Holiness Patriarch Kirill upon the high candlestick of Primatial service in one of the most challenging periods in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church. Yet, even amid these trials, he unfailingly places his trust in God and, with apostolic zeal, embodies steadfastness and unwavering commitment, always excelling in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).

His Holiness has twice visited the blessed land of Kazakhstan—first in January 2010 and again in May 2012. These Primatial visits gave new momentum to the church life of our country. We all remember well the consecration of the newly built Assumption Cathedral and the spiritual, cultural, and administrative center of the Metropolitan District in Astana, the Patriarchal services in the Ascension and St. Nicholas Cathedrals in Almaty, and His Holiness’s meetings with hierarchs, clergy, and the faithful. Recently, we received the joyful news that, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, His Holiness will once again visit our country on September 17-18 of this year. The Primate will take part in the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

The establishment of the Patriarchal authority in the Church is confirmed by Sacred Tradition and apostolic succession. To understand what the Church is without a Patriarch, one must examine the Synodal period of our history. We must thank God that, by His will, at the beginning of the 20th century, in difficult times, the institution of the Patriarchate was restored. This helped the Church withstand an era of persecution and militant atheism and reclaim its historical role in the new millennium. The Patriarchal governance is a crucial factor in the unity of the Church. It is no coincidence that today’s adversaries of Orthodoxy target both the institution of the Patriarchate and the person of the Primate himself.

Often, the ascension of a new Patriarch to the throne has coincided with a turning point for the Church. The time of the apostolic labors of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill has been a time of continued active revival of the Russian Orthodox Church, the restoration of its social status and intellectual role, which it held in history before the tragic 20th century. Through the efforts of His Holiness, the Church has reclaimed its didactic and socially active position.

The Primate of our Church profoundly understands the historical mission and responsibility of Orthodoxy in the face of the destruction of traditional moral values worldwide and the rising tide of Christianophobia. He consistently calls upon the faithful to follow the Word of God, walk the path of the Gospel, and urges those seeking the Truth to listen to the voice of conscience.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill is the author of numerous significant publications, reports, and speeches. He has written a series of books in which he presents his theological perspectives, his understanding of the near and distant future, and his vision of global social and historical processes. His written works extend beyond religious themes, addressing a wide range of pressing social, spiritual, moral, and cultural issues of modern existence. Reviving the ancient tradition of the homiletic word, Patriarch Kirill gives it a new, socially relevant tone. He introduces the listener and reader to the language of “universal preaching,” comprehensible to both the Church’s faithful and secular individuals. His Holiness boldly speaks in his works on the most debated and pressing issues, whether it be international conflicts, pandemics, digital technologies, or artificial intelligence.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches and interviews the profound impact that reading had on him in his childhood. In one of his conversations, recalling the unique library of his father, which contained over three thousand books, he said: “In my youth, I read what became accessible to most of our fellow citizens only during the perestroika period… Both Berdyaev, and Bulgakov, and Frank, and the remarkable works of our Russian religious and philosophical thought of the early 20th century.” It is evident that the deep respect for literature instilled in him from a young age, along with a profound awareness of the importance of reading spiritual literature for the revival of Orthodoxy, has shaped His Holiness Patriarch Kirill’s keen attention to the issues of publishing.

The words and speeches of our Primate are fundamental; they express the position of the entire Church on many pressing issues, and their dissemination should be one of the priority directions of our spiritual and educational work in dioceses and parishes. It is necessary to introduce our parishioners and those interested in matters of religious life, culture, and history to the published works of His Holiness the Patriarch.

Seeing the zealous service of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, which clearly testifies to his deep devotion to the Savior and His Church, reading and listening to his wise words, we give thanks to the Creator for the granted opportunity and joy of being witnesses and participants in his labor in the Lord’s field. May the Lord preserve His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus for many and blessed years.