Cyril father. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia (in the world Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev) was born on November 20, 1946 in Leningrad.

Father - Gundyaev Mikhail Vasilyevich, priest, died in 1974. Mother - Gundyaeva Raisa Vladimirovna, teacher of German at school, in recent years a housewife, died in 1984. Older brother - Archpriest Nikolai Gundyaev, professor, honorary rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral in St. St. Petersburg. Grandfather - Priest Vasily Stepanovich Gundyaev, a prisoner of Solovkov, for church activity and the struggle against renovationism in the 20s, 30s and 40s. XX century subjected to imprisonment and exile.

After graduating from the 8th grade of secondary school, Vladimir Gundyaev went to work in the Leningrad Integrated Geological Expedition of the North-Western Geological Department, where he worked from 1962 to 1965 as a cartographer technician, combining work with education in secondary school.

After graduating from high school in 1965, he entered the Leningrad Theological Seminary, and then the Leningrad Theological Academy, from which he graduated with honors in 1970.

As chairman of the DECR, he visited all Local Orthodox Churches as part of official delegations, including accompanying them on their trips abroad.

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, he officially visited * Local Orthodox Churches: Constantinople (2009, 2014), Alexandria (2010), Antioch (2011), Jerusalem (2012), Serbian (2013). , 2014), Romanian (2017), Bulgarian (2012), Cyprus (2012), Greek (2013), Polish (2012).

Inter-Christian relations and cooperation

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill took part in the work of inter-Christian organizations. As a delegate participated in IV (Uppsala, Sweden, 1968), V (Nairobi, Kenya, 1975), VI (Vancouver, Canada, 1983) and VII (Canberra, Australia, 1991) General Assemblies of the WCC and as a guest of honor at the IX General Assembly of the WCC (Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2006); in the World Missionary Conference "Salvation Today" (Bangkok, 1973); President of the World Conference "Faith, Science and the Future" (Boston, 1979) and the World Conference "Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation" (Seoul, 1990); participated in the assemblies of the commission "Faith and Order" of the WCC in Accra (Ghana, 1974), in Lima (Peru, 1982), in Budapest (Hungary, 1989). He was the main speaker at the World Missionary Conference in San Salvador, Brazil, in November 1996.

He was a delegate to the XI General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (Stirling, Scotland, 1986) and the XII General Assembly of the CEC (Prague, 1992), as well as one of the main speakers at the European Assembly of the CEC "Peace and Justice" (Basel, 6- May 21, 1989).

Participated in the Second European Assembly of CEC in Graz, Austria (23-29 June 1997) and the Third in Sibiu, Romania (5-9 September 2007).

He took part in four rounds of bilateral interviews between theologians of the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (Leningrad, 1967, Bari, Italy, 1969, Zagorsk, 1972, Trento, Italy, 1975).

Since 1977 - Secretary of the International Technical Commission for the Preparation of Dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. Since 1980 - member of the International Theological Commission for Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue. In this capacity, he took part in four plenary sessions of this commission: (Patmos-Rhodes, Greece, 1980; Munich, Germany, 1982; Crete, 1984; Valaam, Finland, 1988) and in the work of its Coordination committee.

He was a co-chairman of the second round of the Orthodox-Reformed dialogue (Debrecen II) in 1976 in Leningrad and a participant in the Evangelical Kirchentags in Wittenberg (GDR, 1983) in Dortmund (1991) in Hamburg (1995).

Participant of the dialogue with the delegation of the Old Catholic Church in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Rotterdam-Petersburg Commission, Moscow, 1996.

As chairman of the DECR, on behalf of the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, he took part in contacts with the Churches of the USA, Japan, East Germany, Germany, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain, Norway, Iceland, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ethiopia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Jamaica, Canada, Congo, Zaire, Argentina, Chile, Cyprus, China, South Africa, Greece.

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, he held a number of meetings with the heads and representatives of heterodox Churches and Christian organizations.

In August 2012, a signing took place by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Chairman of the Polish Catholic Episcopal Conference.

In February 2016, the first ever meeting of the Primates of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church took place in Cuba, during which His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis signed.

Participation in the Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church

He was a member of the Local Jubilee Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (June 1988, Zagorsk), chairman of its Editorial Commission and the author of the draft Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, adopted by the Jubilee Council.

He was a member of the Council of Bishops dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate (October 1989) and the extraordinary Council of Bishops on January 30-31, 1990, as well as the Local Council on June 6-10, 1990, of the Council of Bishops on October 25-26, 1991. ; March 31 - April 4, 1992; June 11, 1992; November 29 - December 2, 1994; February 18-23, 1997; August 13-16, 2000; October 3-6, 2004, June 24-29, 2008

He chaired the Bishops' (2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017) and Local Councils (2009), at the other said Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church he was the chairman of the Editorial Commission.

As the chairman of the DECR, he made reports on the work of the DECR. At the Jubilee Council in 2000, as chairman of the respective Synodal Working Group and the Synodal Commission, he presented the Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church.

At the Council of Bishops on October 3-6, 2004, he also delivered a report "On relations with the Russian Church Abroad and the Old Believers."

Administration of the Smolensk-Kaliningrad Diocese (1984-2009)

During the stay of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the Smolensk-Kaliningrad cathedra, 166 parishes were opened (94 in Smolensk and the region, 72 in Kaliningrad and the region). 52 Orthodox churches have been restored and 71 newly built.

In 1989, the Smolensk Theological School was opened, which was transformed in 1995 into the Smolensk Theological Seminary.

Since 1998, the Interdiocesan Theological School has been operating, training church choir directors, catechists, icon painters and sisters of mercy. Most parishes of the diocese have Sunday schools. There are Orthodox grammar schools and kindergartens.

Since 1992, the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture have been taught in public schools in the Smolensk and Kaliningrad regions.

Work as chairman of the DECR (1989-2009)

Represented the Russian Orthodox Church in the commissions for the development of the USSR Law "On freedom of conscience and religious organizations" of October 1, 1990, the RSFSR Law "On freedom of religion" of October 25, 1990 and the Federal Law of the Russian Federation "On freedom of conscience and associations "of September 26, 1997

As chairman of the DECR, he took part in many international public and peacekeeping initiatives.

He took part in the development of the church position and peacekeeping actions during the events of August 1991 and October 1993.

He was one of the initiators of the creation of the World Russian People's Council in 1993. He took part and delivered key reports at the Councils (1993-2008). Since his election to the Patriarchal See, he has been the chairman of the ARNS (since 2009).

As the chairman of the Commission of the Holy Synod for the revival of religious and moral education and charity, he initiated the creation of synodal departments for religious education, social service and charity, for interaction with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. He was the author of the Concept for the revival of charity and religious education, adopted by the Holy Synod on January 30, 1991.

Developed and submitted for approval to the Holy Synod the "Concept of Interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armed Forces" in 1994.

1996 to 2000 - supervised the development and presented to the Jubilee Bishops' Council of 2000 "The Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church."

He took an active part in the normalization of the ecclesiastical situation in Estonia. In this regard, he visited the Antioch and Jerusalem Patriarchates (trips to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel in 1996), and also participated in negotiations with representatives of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Zurich (Switzerland) in March and twice in April 1996. , in Thessaloniki, Tallinn and Athens (1996), in Odessa (1997), in Geneva (1998), in Moscow, Geneva and Zurich (2000), in Vienna, Berlin and Zurich (2001) .), in Moscow and Istanbul (2003); He also visited Estonia on several occasions, where he negotiated with government representatives, parliament members and the country's business community.

He took an active part in peacekeeping actions in Yugoslavia. During the war, he visited Belgrade several times, negotiated with the leadership of this country, initiated the creation of an informal international Christian peacekeeping group on Yugoslavia (Vienna, May 1999) and the convening of an international inter-Christian conference on the topic: "Europe after the Kosovo crisis: further actions of the Churches" in Oslo (Norway) in November 1999.

He was the main speaker at the Parliamentary Hearings dedicated to the "Foundations of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church" (Moscow, 2001), and the topics "Religion and Health" (Moscow, 2003), "Improvement of the legislation on freedom of conscience and on religious organizations: application practice, problems and solutions ”(Moscow, 2004).

He initiated a dialogue with European organizations in Brussels and created in 2002.

As chairman of the DECR, he visited Estonia (many times), Switzerland (many times), France (many times), Spain (many times), Italy (many times), Belgium (many times), Holland (many times), Germany (many times), Israel (many times), Finland (multiple times), Ukraine (multiple times), Japan (multiple times), Canada (multiple times), China (multiple times), Hungary (multiple times), Moldova (multiple times), Norway (multiple times), Lebanon and Syria (multiple times), Serbia (multiple times) ), USA (many times), Turkey (many times), Brazil (many times), Australia (1991), Austria (many times), Latvia (1992), Chile (1992), Bulgaria (1994, 1998, 2005 biennium), Czech Republic (1996, 2004, 2007), Slovakia (1996), Iran (1996), Lithuania (1997), Denmark (1997), Morocco (1997), Argentina (1997, 2006), Mexico (1998), Panama (1998), Peru (1998), Cuba (1998, 2004, 2008), Luxembourg (1999), Nepal ( 2000), Slovenia (2001), Malta (2001), Tunisia (2001), Mongolia (2001) , Croatia (2001), Vietnam (2001), Kampuchea (2001), Thailand (2001), Ireland (2001), Iraq (2002), Liechtenstein (2002), Philippines (2002), special regions of the PRC - Hong Kong (2001, 2002), Macau (2002), South Africa (2003, 2008), Malaysia (2003), Indonesia (2003), Singapore (2003), UAE (2004), Poland (2004), Netherlands (2004), Dominican Republic (2004), Yemen (2005), DPRK (2006), India (2006), Romania (2007), Turkmenistan (2008), Costa Rica (2008), Venezuela (2008), Colombia (2008), Ecuador (2008), Angola (2008), Namibia (2008). He paid official visits to Hungary, Mongolia, Slovenia, Iran, Iraq and Yemen at the invitation of the governments of these countries.

Patriarchal ministry. Management of the Russian Orthodox Church

In 2009, a reform of the central bodies of church government was undertaken. The activities of the Department for External Church Relations have been fundamentally reorganized, the scope of activities of the Department for External Church Relations has been clarified, new synodal departments have been created, the functions of the Russian Orthodox Church have been divorced, and analytical work has been carried out to formulate the necessary changes in the structure of the Holy Synod and in the system of spiritual education in general. Activity intensified.

In 2012, the formation of metropolises continues, an increase in the number of bishops and dioceses. Control is exercised over the implementation of the instructions of the Council of Bishops in 2011. On the basis of documents adopted in 2011 on social, missionary, youth work, religious, educational and catechetical ministry in the Russian Orthodox Church, a detailed base of documents was developed, as well as partly provisions governing special training ministers in these areas. Transformations are spreading from the central apparatus of the Church to the level of dioceses. The subject "Foundations of Orthodox Culture" is included in the curriculum of secondary schools in all regions of Russia.

In 2013, the course for the formation of new dioceses and metropolises was continued. Implementation of the adopted decisions and provisions in the field of social, missionary and catechetical activities is taking place. A system of training at theological educational institutions of diocesan, deanery and parish specialists in the field of mission, religious education and catechesis, youth and social work is being formed. Three stauropegic monasteries were opened. The documents on church-social issues were adopted: "The position of the Church in connection with the development of technologies for recording and processing personal data" and "On the baptism of infants born with the help of a" surrogate mother ".

In 2014, special attention was paid to issues of church governance. The process of creating new dioceses and metropolises continued, and a stauropegic monastery was formed. Much attention was paid to the creation and strengthening of parish communities, the development of parish life, and the attraction of lay people to active and responsible participation in diocesan and parish activities. The course on the development of church volunteering in the social and other spheres of the life of society was continued, the principles and directions of work with migrants were determined. The documents were adopted: "The concept of the Russian Orthodox Church on the approval of sobriety and the prevention of alcoholism", "Principles and directions of work with migrants."

In 2015, the following documents were adopted: “On the participation of the faithful in the Eucharist”, “Rite of the wedding of spouses, in the summer of many who exist”, “On the Christian burial of the dead”, “Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church for the spiritual nourishment and support of the Cossacks”, “Methodological recommendations on participation Of the Russian Orthodox Church in nature conservation ”. A stavropegic monastery was formed. Much attention was paid to the development of spiritual education, documents were adopted: "Regulations on the procedure for the distribution of graduates of theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church", "Regulations on educational courses for monastics of the Russian Orthodox Church", "Regulations on the diocesan council for theological education in the Russian Orthodox Church."

In 2015, the areas of responsibility of three synodal institutions were also clarified (Synodal departments for prison ministry, for church charity and social service, for interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies) for the implementation of church care for the resocialization of persons released from prison, as well as on the social adaptation of juvenile offenders.

2016 was marked by a large number of foreign visits of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: to the countries of Latin America, incl. to Cuba, where he met with Pope Francis, as well as to Great Britain and France. Meetings were held with top officials of states, public figures, with believing compatriots living abroad. For the first time in history, the Primate of the Russian Church visited Antarctica.

In 2016, much attention was paid to the issues of spiritual education at all levels (from Sunday schools and teaching the Fundamentals of Orthodox culture in secondary schools to advanced training courses for clergy and theological education), a number of documents were adopted, in particular, “Regulations on advanced training courses for clergy of the Russian Orthodox Churches". Moscow and St. Petersburg Theological Academies received state accreditation. The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation approved the composition of the Expert Council of the Higher Attestation Commission for Theology. A dissertation council on theology was created in the system of the Ministry of Education and Science. This was an important step in consolidating theology as a scientific specialty.

In 2016, an active dialogue with the state, secular society, heterodox and representatives of other religions continued. At the suggestion of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin established the Society of Russian Literature, headed by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. The signing by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of an appeal banning abortion caused a great resonance in society.

During the Patriarchal service, the following were formed:

- Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church (2009)

- Bodies of ecclesiastical executive power:

Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (2011)
Synodal Department for Relations between Church and Society (2009)
Synodal Information Department (2009)
Financial and Economic Department (2009)
Synodal Committee for Cooperation with the Cossacks (2010)
Synodal Department of Prison Ministry (2010)
Patriarchal Council for Culture (2010)
Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism (2012), transformed from the Synodal Commission for Monasteries (2010)
The Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media through the merger of the Synodal Department for Church-Society Relations and the Synodal Information Department (2015)

- Church-wide collegial bodies:

Patriarchal Commission for Family, Motherhood and Childhood Protection (2013), former names - Patriarchal Commission for Family and Motherhood Protection (2012), Patriarchal Council for Family and Motherhood Protection (2011)
Patriarchal Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (2015)

- Church-wide postgraduate study and doctoral studies named after Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal to the Apostles (2009)

- Interdepartmental Coordination Group for Teaching Theology in Higher Education (2012)

- Church-public council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for perpetuating the memory of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church (2013), former name - Church-public council for perpetuating the memory of the new martyrs and confessors of Russia (2012)

- The Expert Council on Church Art, Architecture and Restoration (2016), established to replace the abolished General Church Commission on Church Art, Architecture and Restoration (2015)

- Church-public council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for the development of Russian church singing (2016).

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, in 2009-2017. paid an official visit to the following countries: Azerbaijan (2009, 2010), Armenia (2010, 2011), Belarus (2009, 2012, 2013, 2015), Bulgaria (2012 g.), Brazil (2016), Greece (2013, 2016) Egypt (2010), Israel (2012), Jordan (2012), Kazakhstan (2010, 2012) .), Cyprus (2012), China (2013), Cuba (2016), Lebanon (2011), Moldova (2011, 2013), Palestinian Authority (2012), Paraguay (2016), Poland (2012), Romania (2017), Syria (2011), Serbia (2013, 2014), Turkey (2009, 2014), Ukraine ( 2009, 2010 - 3 times, 2011 - 5 times, 2012, 2013), Montenegro (2013), Switzerland (2016) Estonia (2013), Japan (2012 G.).

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill made 221 trips to 116 dioceses *.

During the ministry of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, the following were formed:

60 metropolises of the Russian Orthodox Church *;
144 dioceses *;
vicariate in the Moscow diocese (2011);
Central Asian Metropolitan District (2011);
Patriarchal Deanery of the Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Kingdom of Thailand (2016);
Patriarchal Deanery of the Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Armenia (2016).

The number of dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church increased from 159 (at the beginning of 2009) to 303 *.

At the beginning of 2009, there were 200 bishops in the Russian Orthodox Church, and at the beginning of 2018 - 378 *.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill headed 176 episcopal ordinations, including: in 2009 - 5; in 2010 - 9; in 2011 - 31; in 2012 - 41; in 2013 - 22; in 2014 - 18; in 2015 - 22; in 2016 - 13; in 2017 - 14; in 2018 - 1 *.

Awards

Awards of the Russian Orthodox Church

Church-wide awards

1973 - Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir (II degree)
1986 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (II degree)
1996 - Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow (I degree)
2001 - Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna (II degree)
2004 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (I degree)
2006 - Order of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia (II degree)

Orders of Self-Governing and Autonomous Churches of the Russian Orthodox Church

2006 - Order of the Monks Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves (I degree) (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
2006 - Order “Blessed Governor Stephen the Great and Saint” (II degree) (Orthodox Church of Moldova)
2009 - Order of the Martyr Isidor Yuryevsky (I degree) (Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate)
2009 - Order in honor of the 450th anniversary of the bringing to the land of the Volyn Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
2011 - Order of St. Theodosius of Chernigov (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)

Awards of Local Orthodox Churches

2007 - Order of the Monk Sava the Sanctified (II degree) (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)
2009 - Gold Medal of St. Innocent (Orthodox Church in America)
2010 - Commemorative Medal of St. Vladimir Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America)
2010 - Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)
2011 - Order of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (I degree) (Orthodox Church of Antioch)
2012 - Order of the Holy Tsar Boris (Bulgarian Orthodox Church)
2012 - Golden Order of the Apostle Barnabas (Cypriot Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of St. Mary Magdalene Equal to the Apostles (I degree) (Polish Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of the Life-Giving Sepulcher of the Lord "Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood" (Jerusalem Orthodox Church)

Awards from other religious organizations and Christian denominations

2006 - Order of St. Gregory of Parumalsky (Malankara Church, India)
2010 - Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator (Armenian Apostolic Church)
2011 - Order of Sheikh-ul-Islam (Caucasus Muslims Office)
2012 - Order for Services to the Ummah, I degree (Coordination Center for Muslims of the North Caucasus)

State awards of the Russian Federation

1988 - Order of Friendship of Peoples
1995 - Order of Friendship
1996 - Jubilee Medal "300 Years of the Russian Fleet"
1997 - Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"
2001 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (III degree)
2006 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (II degree)
2011 - Order of Alexander Nevsky
2016 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (I degree)

State awards of foreign states

2010 - Medal "65 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945." (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic)
2010 - Order "Sharaf" (Republic of Azerbaijan)
2011 - Order of the Republic ("Ordinul Republicii") (Republic of Moldova)
2011 - Order of Saint Mesrop Mashtots (Republic of Armenia)
2012 - Order of Friendship of Peoples (Republic of Belarus)
2012 - Order of the Star of Bethlehem (Palestinian National Authority)
2013 - Grand Cross of the Order of Honor (Hellenic Republic)
2013 - Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise I degree (Ukraine)
2016 - Order of Jose Marti (Republic of Cuba)
2017 - Order of Friendship ("Dostyk") I degree (Kazakhstan)

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was also awarded a number of other federal, departmental and regional state awards; has over 120 awards from Russian and foreign public organizations; is an honorary citizen of the cities of Smolensk, Kaliningrad, Neman (Kaliningrad region), Murom (Vladimir region), Smolensk, Kaliningrad, Kemerovo regions, the Republic of Mordovia and other regions and settlements of the Russian Federation.

since 2010 - Honorary Doctor of Yerevan State University;

At the Local Council held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad was elected the 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. Here are some finishing touches to his portrait.

The future Patriarch told about his grandfather: “My grandfather was a wonderful person. He went through 47 prisons and 7 exile, lived in prison for almost 30 years and was one of the first Solovites. that he fought against Renovationism, which at one time was inspired by the Cheka, and then the NKVD for the destruction of the Church.

They had a very interesting fate with their grandmother. After all, when the grandfather was imprisoned, the grandmother remained free. And when he was imprisoned for the second time, and this was in the 30s, when famine raged in the country, she said: that's it, now we are going to die. And they had eight children: seven relatives and one adopted daughter. And the grandfather said: since I will, as it were, carry the cross for Christ, you will remain alive. Then my grandmother said that at some point she understood: everything, life is over, because only a small handful of flour remained for everyone. She made some kind of cakes from this flour, they ate them, and tomorrow there was nothing to eat. And then at night there was a knock on the window. Grandmother jumps up, and from the street a voice: mistress, take the load. She opened the door - there was a sack full of flour, and there was no one around. This sack of flour saved my father too, and gave me the opportunity to be born. "

His father worked as the chief mechanic of a defense enterprise in Leningrad, before the war he was repressed, sat in Kolyma, then built fortifications during the defense of Leningrad. During the war years, he was the military representative at the Gorky plant and received T-34 tanks before being sent to the front.

He received the church name Cyril in 1969, when he was tonsured a monk by Metropolitan Nikodim of Leningrad. And Volodya began to "serve" at the age of three and by the age of six or seven he could have served a prayer service or a panikhida by heart. Once in childhood, he accidentally entered the royal gates of the temple, walked around the altar and left. Mom took him by the hand and led him to the abbot of the temple. The priest looked at his frightened mother, smiled and said: "Nothing, he will be a bishop."

At school, Volodya was one of the best in the class. In the 60s, they wrote about him in the newspapers: where does the school look when there is such a boy in Leningrad who studies with grades and believes in God. According to the future Patriarch, it was a difficult time: "I went to school as to Calvary."

He is very fond of reading, used to since childhood. He recalls that it was easier for him, the son of a priest: in the house there was a large collection of works on theology, history, including works of Russian philosophers, most of which became available to a wide range of readers only in recent years.

From an early age, the future Patriarch was fond of alpine skiing. He learned to skate in Krasnoe Selo on Voronya Gora, from which the Germans fired at Leningrad. Later he descended from Mont Blanc. He once explained to journalists who were perplexed about how church activities and sports can be connected: "Spiritual training, which is given to us by asceticism, fasting, prayer and physical training, which is impossible without volitional efforts, together provide a very important result - the upbringing of a human personality." ...

And also about his hobby: "What does a person usually do when he sees an abyss in front of him? The natural reaction of an ordinary person is backward. The reaction of self-preservation. Instinct. And a skier is always forward. And the steeper, the more" forward. " to face danger consciously, in defiance of instincts, in defiance of human weakness. "

He also loves to walk and swim. On vacation, every day he swims several kilometers without stopping, the same amount passes. In contrast to the fashion for Labradors (it appeared in the VIP environment after the appearance of the Labrador from Putin) contains shepherd dogs. In the evening, having arrived home, he puts on a tracksuit and walks his dogs: “For the whole day they will sit at home and run so hard on the street that I can hardly keep up with them. every evening I go and run about five or six kilometers. "

Love for animals is selective. He is attached to dogs, but he is completely indifferent to cats.

Boeing 737-300, named after him: Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, flies in Kaliningrad. The plane operates regular flights to Europe, and now it will have to be slightly renamed.

As a metropolitan, he impressed many with a statement that he saw no reason to fight the desire of some rock musicians to use the theme of Orthodoxy in their work. And he even promised to support modern rock culture, making a reservation: "If we see that it contributes to the moral growth of the individual." He believes that often rock musicians at a concert "say a few phrases about Orthodoxy that make a greater impression on young people than a long sermon in a church."

At the same time, he himself never attended rock concerts: "I never heard how Kinchev and Shevchuk do it, but I met with them, and the discussion was very interesting, communication with them made a good impression on me. They are both sincere people, Orthodox." ...

He advocates for the right to religious education at school. He calls the objections of opponents about the multinationality and multi-religious nature of Russia "horror stories" and believes that the absolute majority of the people cannot be prohibited from studying the foundations of their religious culture. At the same time, according to Cyril, the Foundations of Orthodox culture should not be imposed on everyone in a row and without options. There should be an alternative: "If there are Muslims in the class, the Fundamentals of Islamic Culture can be taught for them."

Condemns civil marriages, opposes explicit television shows on television. At the same time, it allows women to appear in the temple with their heads uncovered. When asked why women should wear a headscarf in the temple, he told a story from his life.

“To put on a headdress or not is a question of our national Orthodox culture and tradition. If you go to church every Sunday, you will not notice how you yourself begin to put on a headscarf. As, for example, Muslim women do it. I remember I served in Tehran , in our church. I look, there are women in clothes to the floor, in headscarves, quiet, modest, like angels. I serve, I have such a fertile mood. It turned out that the wives of our diplomats. And in the evening I was invited to a reception. And there I saw the same women, but in a completely different form: so fashionable and smart that it is impossible to imagine. And such were just such shy women in headscarves. Why is a headscarf needed in the temple? Because the thoughts of people in the temple should be focused on prayer. women naturally attracts attention - and distracts from worship. "

An incident from the life of the chosen Patriarch

And after a short time, maybe two or three weeks passed, another embassy employee, who also held a very high position, came to me and asked me to do the same. And he also warned that he was at great risk. And then he asked me to make sure that the one whom I had married before him would never know about it. Because, from his point of view, he was the most dangerous person among those who could harm him. And then I thought: Lord, we live in the Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors! The two Orthodox Christians who might have been close friends are divided by ideological fears and prejudices.

Hypocrisy is a sin. And the Lord will punish such people. But if this is some kind of timid, still poorly understood, but still a real movement towards God - so thank God! The church should not condemn anyone. She should open the door to the temples for everyone and help them stay in this temple.

church in the USSR and Russia

1988 2008

76 dioceses 157 dioceses

74 bishops 203 bishops

6893 parishes 29 263 parishes

6674 priests 27,216 priests

723 deacons 3454 deacons

Patriarch Kirill is a renowned Russian religious figure. For some reason, he decided to devote his life to the ministry of the church. He is a patriarch, has become one of the most famous religious people in Russia, who can cause both admiration and censure. I must say that many scandals were associated with Patriarch Kirill, some of them were genuine, and some were not. But where did it all start? How did Patriarch Kirill become a clergyman in general, and why did he choose the path of the church? How fair are his church views, and is he doing his job well? We will tell all this in this article so that those who wish to learn more about Patriarch Kirill can do it without any problems.

Height, weight, age. How old is Patriarch Kirill

Patriarch Kirill is not a Hollywood or even a pop star, so it is not at all necessary for him to look too young or be too slim. For a minister of the church, on the contrary, it will be better if he looks solid and important. Answering the questions: height, weight, age. How old is Patriarch Kirill, we can say that his height is 178 centimeters, and his weight is 92 kilograms, and today his age has reached the mark of 70 years.

Despite the above reasons, the patriarch carefully looks after himself, loves to swim, ski and walk. So, in addition to serving God, he does not forget that he also needs to take care of himself. As the saying goes, "God protects those who are saved." During his long life, Patriarch Kirill has seen a lot, was able to go a long way, on which he met both good and bad. Let's take a closer look at all of this.

Biography of Patriarch Kirill

The biography of Patriarch Kirill dates back to November 20, 1946. An interesting fact is that when he was little, his mother brought him to church. Then he walked through the Royal Doors by mistake. Then the frightened mother dragged him to the priest so that he would forgive his sin. But he just waved his hand and said: "He will be a bishop." Whether it was a coincidence or a prediction, little Cyril then really took the first step towards going the long path of the church. But before that it was still very far away, because everything that happened in his life, of course, happened step by step, and as fate had decreed. The real name of Cyril, to be given from birth, is Vladimir. He was still very far from the activities of Patriarch Kirill.

The mother of the future patriarch worked as a teacher, taught children the German language. My father was just a priest, which may have also played a role in the choice of life. However, the boy's entire family was directly related to religion. His grandfather was regularly exiled for his connection with the church, the older marriage was the rector in one of the cathedrals of St. Petersburg, and his sister worked as the director of an Orthodox gymnasium.

Before starting his own activities related to the church, Vladimir graduated from eight classes of high school. He tried his hand at geology, but after three years he decided to enter the theological seminary, after graduating, he transferred to the theological academy, which was then in Leningrad.

His middle name is Cyril, young Vladimir received when he took monastic vows. At the same time, his religious path begins, which at that time he went to the Metropolitan.

He repeatedly took part in the development of the Moscow Patriarchate, everywhere he tried to do as much as possible for this. Starting in the nineties, Kirill began to pay more and more attention to public relations, develop this activity. In the first half of the nineties, a program appears on television where he takes part. This program is called “The Word of the Shepherd”, which was dedicated to spiritual issues, and which had a significant rating both among the common population and among politicians.

A year later, Patriarch Kirill begins active work and cooperation with the government of the Russian Federation. Very often he acted as a full participant in various advisory bodies. He is organizing various cultural events, for example, the celebration of Christianity, namely the date of two thousand years. Moreover, according to data obtained through a survey among the Russian population in 2012, most people support the actions of the patriarch.

In addition, the patriarch began to maintain his own Facebook page. The patriarch communicated there directly with those who came to his page, asked questions. He often answered the most important and burning questions that other people could ask. The clergyman has more than five hundred publications on his account, and he is also the author of several books that touch on the topic of spirituality and religion.

In the 2000s, Patriarch Alexy II dies. Metropolitan Kirill was appointed to his post. A year later, he was appointed Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, since he collected the most votes in the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. It should be noted that the patriarch did a lot to unite the ROC abroad. He made regular visits to other countries to meet there with local religious leaders, various representatives of this character. All this significantly strengthens the position of the church in Russia, expands the boundaries of cooperation between churches between different states.

But, despite the fact that Kirill is unusually devoted to his work, it was repeatedly possible to hear statements from him against radical groups. He argued that such preachers should be feared, since nothing good can be expected from them. They say that most often there are charlatans among the people who teach the wrong, subject people to confusion, and all this can quickly destroy the church foundation.

Personal life of Patriarch Kirill

The personal life of Patriarch Kirill, at least officially, is absent. After all, he is the person who should serve the church, not someone in particular. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that Patriarch Kirill is not married, has no family. However, for him, his personal life is the whole country, because he has repeatedly admitted that it is very important for him to bring light and truth to the masses. How much this corresponds to the truth, no one can say for sure, but all the same, you need to take into account the fact that he, a recognized religious figure and officially he cannot have a personal life, he has a completely different path that belongs to the church.

Family of Patriarch Kirill

The family of Patriarch Kirill is his church activity, because he gave his life to serve God. Therefore, it is not surprising that he is not married, has no children, because the most important thing for him is to do everything in such a way that cooperation between church houses in the Russian Federation and other countries develops.

He does it very well, because from his very youth he successfully went through the "career" of a church leader, step by step, in order to achieve something here. It is difficult to say whether he suffers from the fact that he does not have his own family, in fact, he does not have time for this, in addition, he is far from alone, many ordinary people and not only turn for his advice.

Patriarch Kirill on a yacht with girls

I must say that around Patriarch Kirill, as usual, it happens with public figures, there is often gossip, scandals break out. Often he was accused of various sins, it is difficult to say which of them may be true, and which are fictional. One could often hear accusations that Patriarch Kirill was having fun on a yacht with girls, that he was spending church income to improve his life. Cyril himself constantly denies or simply ignores such accusations, they say, all this is the machinations of his enemies and opponents of the church. Of course, all people are sinful, but as far as there are reasons to accuse Patriarch Kirill, it is difficult to answer with accuracy, because, be that as it may, he still remains a man, which primarily serves God.

Yaponchik and Patriarch Kirill are one person

Patriarch Kirill is also connected with completely absurd rumors. For example, on the Web you can often find such an accusation that they say that Yaponchik and Patriarch Kirill are one person. This is a famous thief who was buried in the 2000s. Many parishioners see the undeniable similarities between these two people. They say that the patriarch has a dark past, and now he has successfully hidden in order not to end up in prison. Again, whether this is true or not, the majority of Russian religious people are sure that all this is the machinations of other religious campaigns, the purpose of which is to spoil the reputation of an honest church leader.

Children of Patriarch Kirill

The children of Patriarch Kirill are all his parishioners and people who need his support and advice. So, in any case, he says himself. He has repeatedly said that he is ready to help anyone who turns to him. To this end, he even began to use social networks so that he could answer the most important and burning questions. The patriarch does not have his own legitimate children, perhaps he would even want them to have them, but the dignity forced him to abandon such simple, family joys as a wife and children. But choosing for himself the path of a monk, and then a metropolitan and patriarch, he preferred spiritual growth to ordinary earthly values.

Patriarch Kirill's wife

The wife of Patriarch Kirill is generally a closed topic for him, if only because he once took monastic vows, thereby voluntarily giving up his personal life. And although you can very often hear that Patriarch Kirill “sinned”, that he was repeatedly noticed in the society of long-legged models, in fact, all this has not been proven. Most people believe that all this is fiction, that in fact Patriarch Kirill faithfully serves the church, not wanting to turn off the intended path. In any case, the official church leader does not have either a wife or children. For him, the church has become his home, children for him are his parishioners, he cannot even think about women.

How much does Patriarch Kirill's watch cost?

At one time, a watch was seen on the hand of Patriarch Kirill. And you didn't need to be a jeweler to understand that they are far from cheap. Hence, the question immediately arose: how much does Patriarch Kirill's watch cost? Rumors immediately spread that Cyril was abusing the power he had received, they say, where did he get such a thing from? By the way, the watch was estimated at thirty thousand euros, there were rumors that after that, Kirill tried with all his might to disown the fact that he wore such a watch, tried to hide it. But a request constantly appeared on the Web for the watch of Patriarch Kirill breguet, the cost of the watch, apparently this issue was interesting not only to his enemies, but also to ordinary people who wanted to be sure of the patriarch's sinlessness or, on the contrary, that he really pampered himself with dear ones things.

Patriarch Kirill "Word of the Shepherd"

As mentioned above, the religious leader has repeatedly collaborated with the public in order to carry the word of God to the masses. One of such projects is the TV show “Word of the Shepherd”. Patriarch Kirill "The Word of the Shepherd" often flashed on the screens, millions of people looked at it, who wanted to find answers to their life questions. The religious and educational program was precisely aimed at ensuring that anyone who wants to reconsider their life, or simply needs advice, could try to do this together with Patriarch Kirill.

Kirill gladly helped those who wanted to help themselves. Of course, there were evil tongues here, too, that the priest was doing all this for the sake of PR. It is difficult to say who is right here, and to what extent Patriarch Kirill is who he claims to be, but one way or another, you need to show respect for his rank and activities related to the church and religion. There have been many rumors about him, some of them reaching the point of absurdity. But, unfortunately, it so happens that public people are always susceptible to the fact that they have many enemies, often those who have crossed the road unintentionally. Therefore, all that remains is to choose the side of the one you think is right.

Date of Birth: November 20, 1946 Country: Russia Biography:

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia (in the world Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev) was born on November 20, 1946 in Leningrad.

Father - Gundyaev Mikhail Vasilievich, priest, died in 1974. Mother - Gundyaeva Raisa Vladimirovna, teacher of German at school, in recent years a housewife, died in 1984. Older brother - Archpriest Nikolai Gundyaev, professor, rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral in St. St. Petersburg. Grandfather - Priest Vasily Stepanovich Gundyaev, a prisoner of Solovkov, for church activity and the struggle against renovationism in the 20s, 30s and 40s. XX century subjected to imprisonment and exile.

After graduating from high school in 1965, he entered the Leningrad Theological Seminary, and then the Leningrad Theological Academy, from which he graduated with honors in 1970.

As chairman of the DECR, he visited all Local Orthodox Churches as part of official delegations, including accompanying them on their trips abroad.

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, he officially visited the Local Orthodox Churches: Constantinople (2009), Alexandria (2010), Antioch (2011), Jerusalem (2012), Bulgarian (2012), Cyprus (2012 g.), Polish (2012), Hellas (2013).

Inter-Christian relations and cooperation

Participated in the Second European Assembly of CEC in Graz, Austria (23-29 June 1997) and the Third in Sibiu, Romania (5-9 September 2007).

He took part in four rounds of bilateral interviews between theologians of the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (Leningrad, 1967, Bari, Italy, 1969, Zagorsk, 1972, Trento, Italy, 1975).

Participant of the dialogue with the delegation of the Old Catholic Church in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Rotterdam-Petersburg Commission, Moscow, 1996.

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, he held a number of meetings with the heads and representatives of heterodox Churches and Christian organizations.

In 2012, it was signed by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Chairman of the Polish Catholic Episcopal Conference.

Participation in the Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church

He chaired the Bishops' Councils (2009, 2011, 2013) and Local Councils (2009), and at the other said Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church he was the chairman of the Editorial Commission.

At the Council of Bishops on October 3-6, 2004, he also delivered a report "On relations with the Russian Church Abroad and the Old Believers."

Administration of the Smolensk-Kaliningrad Diocese (1984-2009)

In 1989, the Smolensk Theological School was opened, which was transformed in 1995 into the Smolensk Theological Seminary.

Since 1992, the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture have been taught in public schools in the Smolensk and Kaliningrad regions.

Work as chairman of the DECR (1989-2009)

As chairman of the DECR, he took part in many international public and peacekeeping initiatives.

He took part in the development of the church position and peacekeeping actions during the events of August 1991 and October 1993.

Developed and submitted for approval to the Holy Synod the "Concept of Interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armed Forces" in 1994.

1996 to 2000 - supervised the development and presented to the Jubilee Bishops' Council of 2000 "The Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church."

He initiated a dialogue with European organizations in Brussels and created in 2002.

Patriarchal ministry. Management of the Russian Orthodox Church

In 2012-2013. the formation of metropolitanates continues, an increase in the number of bishops and dioceses. Control is exercised over the implementation of the instructions of the Councils of Bishops in 2011 and 2013. On the basis of the adopted documents on social, missionary, youth work, religious, educational and catechetical ministry in the Russian Orthodox Church, a detailed base of documents was developed, as well as partly provisions governing the special training of ministers in these areas. There is a spread of transformations from the central apparatus of the Church to the level of dioceses. The subject "Foundations of Orthodox Culture" is included in the curriculum of secondary schools in all regions of Russia.

During the Patriarchal service, the following were formed:

- Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church (2009)

- Bodies of ecclesiastical executive power:

Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (2011)
Synodal Department for Relations between Church and Society (2009)
Synodal Information Department (2009)
Financial and Economic Department (2009)
Synodal Committee for Cooperation with the Cossacks (2010)
Synodal Department of Prison Ministry (2010)
Patriarchal Council for Culture (2010)
Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism (2012), transformed from the Synodal Commission for Monasteries (2010)

- Church-wide collegial bodies:

Patriarchal Commission for Family and Maternity Protection (2012), formerly the Patriarchal Council for Family and Maternity Protection (2011)

- Church-wide postgraduate study and doctoral studies named after Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal to the Apostles (2009)

- Interdepartmental Coordination Group for Teaching Theology in Higher Education (2012)

As the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, in 2009-2013. visited countries: Azerbaijan (2009, 2010), Armenia (2010, 2011), Belarus (2009, 2012, 2013), Bulgaria (2012), Greece (2013 d.) Egypt (2010), Israel (2012), Jordan (2012), Kazakhstan (2010, 2012), Cyprus (2012), China (2013), Lebanon (2011), Moldova (2011, 2013), Palestinian Authority (2012), Poland (2012), Syria (2011), Serbia (2013), Turkey (2009) .), Ukraine (2009, 2010 - 3 times, 2011 - 5 times, 2012, 2013), Montenegro (2013), Estonia (2013), Japan (2012 .).

By February 2014, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill made 124 visits to 67 dioceses, 156 visits to 26 stauropegic monasteries, in 21 of them more than once. Visited 7 farmsteads of stavropegic monasteries. Made 432 visits to 105 churches in Moscow (data as of January 31, 2014).

During the ministry of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, the following were formed:

46 Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church;
113 dioceses, including 95 dioceses in Russia *;
Central Asian Metropolitan District (2011);
vicariate in the Moscow diocese (2011).

The number of dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church increased from 159 at the beginning of 2009 to 273 at the beginning of 2014 (in Russia - from 69 to 164).

At the beginning of 2009, there were 200 bishops in the Russian Orthodox Church, at the beginning of 2014 - 312 *.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill headed 109 episcopal ordinations, including: in 2009 - 5; in 2010 - 9; in 2011 - 31; in 2012 - 41; in 2013 - 22; in 2014 - 1 *.

Also, during 5 years of Patriarchal service, he performed 144 consecrations to deacons and presbyters (18 to deacons and 126 to presbyters) *.

Awards

Awards of the Russian Orthodox Church

Church-wide awards

1973 - Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir (II degree)
1986 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (II degree)
1996 - Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow (I degree)
2001 - Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna (II degree)
2004 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (I degree)
2006 - Order of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia (II degree)

Orders of Self-Governing and Autonomous Churches of the Russian Orthodox Church

2006 - Order of the Monks Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves (I degree) (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
2006 - Order “Blessed Governor Stephen the Great and Saint” (II degree) (Orthodox Church of Moldova)
2009 - Order of the Martyr Isidor Yuryevsky (I degree) (Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate)
2009 - Order in honor of the 450th anniversary of the bringing to the land of the Volyn Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)
2011 - Order of St. Theodosius of Chernigov (Ukrainian Orthodox Church)

Awards of Local Orthodox Churches

2007 - Order of the Monk Sava the Sanctified (II degree) (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)
2009 - Gold Medal of St. Innocent (Orthodox Church in America)
2010 - Commemorative Medal of St. Vladimir Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America)
2010 - Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)
2011 - Order of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (I degree) (Orthodox Church of Antioch)
2012 - Order of the Holy Tsar Boris (Bulgarian Orthodox Church)
2012 - Golden Order of the Apostle Barnabas (Cypriot Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of St. Mary Magdalene Equal to the Apostles (I degree) (Polish Orthodox Church)
2012 - Order of the Life-Giving Sepulcher of the Lord "Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood" (Jerusalem Orthodox Church)

Awards from other religious organizations and Christian denominations

2006 - Order of St. Gregory of Parumalsky (Malankara Church, India)
2010 - Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator (Armenian Apostolic Church)
2011 - Order of Sheikh-ul-Islam (Caucasus Muslims Office)
2012 - Order for Services to the Ummah, I degree (Coordination Center for Muslims of the North Caucasus)

State awards of the Russian Federation

1988 - Order of Friendship of Peoples
1995 - Order of Friendship
1996 - Jubilee Medal "300 Years of the Russian Fleet"
1997 - Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"
2001 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (III degree)
2006 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland (II degree)
2011 - Order of Alexander Nevsky

State awards of foreign states

2009 - Order of Friendship of Peoples (Republic of Belarus)
2010 - Medal "65 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945." (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic)
2010 - Order "Sharaf" (Republic of Azerbaijan)
2011 - Order of the Republic ("OrdinulRepublicii") (Republic of Moldova)
2011 - Order of Saint Mesrop Mashtots (Republic of Armenia)
2012 - Order of the Star of Bethlehem (Palestinian National Authority)

Publications on the Patriarchia.ru portal

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: It is impossible to end wars in a world of dislike [Patriarch: Interview]

"Religious education in the postmodern era." Speech by the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad at the XV Christmas Readings [Documents]

In modern Russia, Patriarch Kirill is a famous and famous person. His work is highly appreciated, since the head of the Orthodox Church makes a significant contribution to the development of religion. In addition, Kirill, in the world Gundyaev Vladimir Mikhailovich, actively participates in various political processes and organizes charitable projects.

Vladimir Mikhailovich does not have a wife, since he completely leads a church life. In connection with his activities, the Patriarch often consults newlyweds, talking about the goals, tasks and mission of the family in society.

Children of Patriarch Kirill

The children of the Patriarch are parishioners who listen to his sermons. However, a spiritual mentor cares for orphans who were abandoned in infancy. He deliberately creates charitable foundations to help disabled children.

Biography of Patriarch Kirill

Gundyaev Vladimir Mikhailovich was born in the Northern capital of the Russian Federation on November 20, 1946. At first, Vladimir studied in an ordinary high school, but after finishing the eight grades, he entered the Theological Seminary in St. Petersburg. He took monasticism in the late 1960s, and then he received his new name - Cyril.

Kirill became a candidate for theology in the early 1970s, from that moment he began to carry out church activities, reaching the status of “Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia”.

After graduating from the academy, the young man's religious activity developed rapidly. At first he was appointed rector of the theological seminary of St. Petersburg, and then he was appointed head of the diocesan council.

In the mid-1970s, Kirill became a bishop, solving problems of interchurch relations. In the late 1970s, he left for Finland to manage the patriarchal parishes. A little later, Kirill was sent to Kaliningrad to organize church directions. For hard work and an inordinate desire to serve God, the priest was made a permanent member of the Synod. Until the 1990s, he developed religious laws for the church, until he was ranked as a metropolitan.

During the collapse of the USSR, Kirill tried to establish a connection between the people and politicians. He took a peaceful position, which made him a well-known personality in Russia. It is worth noting that the minister has been awarded the Lovia Prize for Strengthening Peace on more than one occasion. Despite the difficult times of the 1990s, Kirill worked with Western churches, creating a positive image of the ROC. And he succeeded, the Russian Orthodox Church became close to the Vatican.

Cyril knew how to stand out from the rest, as he led social and political activities, solved many social issues and supported disadvantaged people. Thus, he reached the patriarchal throne. In the mid-1990s, he was given airtime on the TV channel, Kirill hosted a program called "The Word of the Shepherd", where he covered issues of a spiritual and educational nature.

And already in 2009, the divine was elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. The ceremony of accession to the patriarchal throne took place in the circle of political figures, social activists and the President of the Russian Federation. The government expressed its hope for cooperation between the state and the Russian Orthodox Church.

To this day, Kirill is the patriarch, often travels abroad, supporting the Orthodox churches there. He is described as a person of high intelligence, moral principles and fundamental knowledge. Cyril markedly strengthened relations between the ROC and foreign powers.

Despite his educational activities and public support, Kirill found himself many times in scandalous situations. For example, he has been criticized for supporting foreign goods such as tobacco and alcohol. But the close circle of the patriarch called this action a provocation, created to remove Kirill from his post.

Also, foreign media wrote that Kirill had four billion dollars on his account. He has several expensive cars, a yacht, an airplane and a watch of a famous brand. However, the Patriarch denies the journalists' attacks, claiming that all funds are being used as intended. The ROC money is directed annually to the development of the Orthodox school and to charitable foundations. According to Kirill, all the accusations point to only one thing - to humiliate the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and criticize Orthodoxy in Russia.

Personal life of Patriarch Kirill

Like all spiritual leaders, the personal life of Patriarch Kirill is tied in serving the people and the Holy Spirit. He cannot have a family according to church laws, so he honors and preaches the Gospel.

Family of Patriarch Kirill

Cyril was born into a religious family. His father was a priest of the church, and his mother was a simple teacher in high school. At the time of the boy's birth, his father was in charge of the temple of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. In addition to Vladimir, the family also had brother Nikolai and sister Elena, who in the future also devoted their lives to serving God.