On Tuesday, April 7, 2009, the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the day when the Holy Church celebrates the memory of Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America, Archimandrite Zacchaeus, Representative of the Orthodox Church in America concelebrated an intercessory molieben led by His Holiness, Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia before the saint’s holy relics at Moscow’s Stavropeghial Donskoi Monastery.
Following the Patriarchal Molieben, His Holiness, Patriarch KIRILL addressed the faithful with words about the importance of Patriarch Tikhon’s labors for the Holy Church during the difficult years of political upheaval in Russia at the turn of the last century. His Holiness added that it was thanks to Patriarch Tikhon’s ability to surround himself with good, supportive people as well as his deep faith and holy life that allowed him to survive the difficult temptations of his time.
At the conclusion of the service, His Holiness, Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia, together with His Grace, Bishop HILARION of Volokolamsk and Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations; His Eminence, Archbishop ARSENY of Istra and First Vicar Bishop of Moscow; His Grace, Bishop MARK of Egorevsk; and the other concelebrating clergy set free white doves on the cathedral steps of the Donskoi Monastery, according to local custom.
