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Patriarch Kirill to make first visit to Moldova.

There are 95 percent of Orthodox believers in the republic.

MOSCOW, October 6 (Itar-Tass) — Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will leave for Moldova this week, the Russian Orthodox Church’s Synodal press service told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

This will be Patriarch Kirill’s first visit. The key goal is pastoral contacts with believers. There are 95 percent of Orthodox believers in the republic. The agenda will include services in Chisinau and in an isolated church.

“On October 8, the patriarch will visit the city Christmas cathedral. On October 9, His Holiness will conduct a divine service at the cathedral jointly with the Moldovan clergy,” the press service said.

Then the Russian patriarch will lay wreaths at the monument to founder of Moldova’s statehood Stefan III the Great (Stefan cel Mare).

Patriarch Kirill will pay tribute to the memory of servicemen who gave their lives for the liberation of Moldova and Chisinau from the Nazi invaders during the Great Patriotic War. On the same day His Holiness will meet the political leadership of Moldova.

On Monday, October 10, he will attend a paediatric department of the Moldovan cancer institute. During the visit, Patriarch Kirill will also attend the Curchi Monastery of Christmas.

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