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Russian Orthodox Church head in Antarctic

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia served a Divine Liturgy at Russia’s Bellingshausen Antarctic station on Waterloo Island and sailed to a penguin rookery

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Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia flew to Antarctica from Chile's Punta Arenas

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

Patriarch Kirill visiting Russia’s Bellingshausen Antarctic station on Waterloo Island

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

Patriarch Kirill at the penguin rookery on Ardley Island

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

Ardley Island is identified as an Important Bird Area as it supports a breeding colony of gentoo penguins

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

Patriarch Kirill serving a Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity chapel, on Waterloo Island

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

The church service was attended by Russian polar explorers and invited members of expeditions of other countrie

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

Holy Trinity chapel is the southernmost Eastern Orthodox church in the world

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

The Patriarch presented an icon of St. Prince Vladimir, the Baptizer of Rus, as a gift to the church

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

Patriarch Kirill at Russia’s Bellingshausen Antarctic station on Waterloo Island

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

Patriarch Kirill at Russia’s Bellingshausen Antarctic station on Waterloo Island

© Russian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Press Office/TASS

Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill flew to Antarctica from Chile's Punta Arenas. It is the first time Russian patriarch has visited the South Polar region. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia served Divine Liturgy in the only permanent cathedral in Antarctica - the Orthodox Holy Trinity Church at Russia’s Bellingshausen Station on Waterloo Island. The station’s chief Vladimir Cheberdak called Patriarch's first-ever visit to Antarctic an event of great historical significance. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia also sailed to a penguin rookery on Ardley Island.

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