The Russian Orthodox Church is marking on...

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad was elected as the 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in late January 2009 by the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, succeeding Patriarch Alexy II, who died in December at the age of 79.

The new leader of the Russian Orthodox Church was enthroned on February 1 last year, at a ceremony held in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.

Kirill will serve a Divine Liturgy in the Christ the Savior Cathedral on Monday. The service will be attended by Metropolitan Christopher of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, the Georgian Orthodox leader, Metropolitan Nicholas of Akhalkalak and Kumurdoi and representatives of other local Orthodox churches.

"There are many people who want to congratulate the Most Holy Patriarch and to pray together with him," Vladimir Legoyda, a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church said.

He said Kirill will hold talks with representatives of local Orthodox Churches on February

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