27.07.2009, [16:03] risu.org/ua // Orthodox //
KYIV—On July 27, 2009, for the first time in modern history, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is holding a session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kyiv, reports Interfax information agency.
"Today we will discuss important issues relating to internal life and the outside activities of our Church. Just one thought of the great importance of the Kyiv Cave Monastery for the fate of Russian Orthodox faith makes one uplifted and energized. We are meeting in a place that is holy to our Church, to our Orthodox brethren," said the patriarch as he opened the meeting.
The patriarch also pointed out the historic nature of today's meeting of the synod "in the southern capital of Russian Orthodox faith" and recalled that the previous meeting of the synod, which was held in the Alexander Nevskyi Monastery in St. Petersburg, was also historical.
The meeting of the synod was timed to fall within the Patriarch's visit to Ukraine and is a traditional summer meeting of top Russian Orthodox clergymen. According to an earlier report published by Interfax-Religion, "the hierarchs of the Russian Church, who have come from different regions to the old southern capital of Russian Orthodox faith, will discuss a wide range of various issues relating to church life."
The meeting traditionally involves seven permanent members of the synod and five temporary members.
http://www.interfax-religion.com/