TATARSTAN METROPOLATE: 22 July, 2025
A representative of the Australian and New Zealand diocese participates in the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

On Monday, July 21, 2025, during the feast of the Appearance of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the city of Kazan, Russia (1579), His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the Monastery dedicated to the holiday in Kazan, Russia. Upon arrival at the cathedral, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church venerated the relics of St Varnava, Bishop of Tver, Miracle-Worker of Kazan, and a revered copy of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

Among the numerous archpastors and pastors who served His Holiness during Divine Liturgy was Archpriest Vladimir Boikov of New Zealand of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The service at the Kazan Mother of God Monastery was broadcast live on the official portal of the Russian Orthodox Church, patriarhia.ru. The broadcast was displayed on a large screen installed in front of the Kazan Cathedral. The sermon before communion was delivered by Archpriest Ioann Barsukov, Rector of St Nicholas Cathedral in Kazan. At the end of the Liturgy, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill performed a prayer service marking the feast.

His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan welcomed His Holiness on behalf of the hierarchs, clergy, and believers of the Tatarstan Metropoliate, presenting an ancient copy of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, adorned by the sisters of the Kazan Mother of God Convent. The Primate of the Russian Church then delivered a sermon. As a gift to the Kazan Cathedral, His Holiness presented a copy of the Zhirovitsy Icon of the Mother of God, and to Metropolitan Kirill, he gave a commemorative cross and panaghia.

By the blessing of Archbishop George of Sydney and Australia-New Zealand, Fr Vladimir is on a pilgrimage through the Ekaterinburg and Tatarstan Metropoliates of the Russian Orthodox Church. Earlier, it was reported that Fr Vladimir honored the "Royal Days" in Ekaterinburg by participating in services and commemorative events dedicated to the holiday.