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Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia begins his pilgrimage visit to Mount Athos

Patriarch Kirill took part in a service at the Protaton cathedral in Karyes

Patriarch Kirill greeted at the port of Daphne AP Photo/Darko Bandic

Patriarch Kirill greeted at the port of Daphne

© AP Photo/Darko Bandic

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MOUNT ATHOS, May 27. /TASS/. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on Friday arrived at Greece’s port of Daphne and began his pilgrimage visit to the monks’ republic.

Patriarch Kirill was welcomed at the port by Civil Governor of Mount Athos Aristos Kasmiroglou, representatives of the Holy Kinot of Mount Athos - monks from the Xiropotamou and Simonos Petras Monatseries, and chairman of the Russian president’s working group on the organization of festivities on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Russia’s presence on Mount Athos, Alexander Beglov.

From the port, the patriarch headed for the capital city of Mount Athos, Karyes, where he took part in a service at the Protaton cathedral.

"Over the past centuries, the Holy Mount has been spiritually supporting the Russian monkhood. These spiritual ties have top-priority significance for all people of historical Rus. I would like to ask all monks of the Holy Mount to pary for our Church," Patriarch Kirill said.

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