At the end of the Divine Liturgy and the festive meal, in the hall of the Supreme Church Council of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on February 1, 2026, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated on the 17th anniversary of the enthronement of the clergy of Moscow. 
Reverend vicars, deans of church districts, vicars and abbesses of Stavropol monasteries gathered in the hall.
On behalf of the clergy and faithful, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church was greeted by the Moscow Patriarchate's managing director, First Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for Moscow, Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensk, who, in particular, said:
"Seventeen years ago, you were elevated to the Patriarchal throne in this church. We can see how the church life in the city of Moscow has changed dramatically over these seventeen years, thanks to your tireless efforts, thanks to your blessings and instructions. Life in Moscow has become an example for other dioceses of our Church. Today, under your direct and sensitive guidance, all spheres of church life are developing. And we see not only how old Orthodox churches that were destroyed in the past are being restored and new ones are being built, but also, most importantly, how these churches are filled with people, how the inhabitants of Moscow find their way to God, through which our society is strengthened.
You pay great attention to educational and social service, youth work, and spiritual education, which is especially important in our time. Your Holiness, we are all witnessing the good changes that have taken place thanks to you. And on this day, we thank God in a special way that we have such a Primate. Today, the entire Orthodox Moscow is praying for you, Your Holiness!"
Metropolitan Gregory presented His Holiness with the image of Christ the Savior.
Metropolitan Gregory also informed that, according to the established tradition, in accordance with the practice of holding a "flower" gathering on the eve of the enthronement day, monasteries, parishes and Patriarchal courtyards of the Moscow (city) diocese collected funds transferred to the Central Clinical Hospital of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow for the purchase of medical equipment.
In response, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill cordially thanked the metropolitan clergy and monastics.:
"Your Eminence, Metropolitan Bishop, I thank you very much for your kind words. I thank the entire episcopate of Moscow, the clergy, the abbess mothers, and the monastics for their efforts in the spiritual care of the Mother See. And I thank God for the people who surround me now and who are at the forefront of working with Muscovites.
The city of Moscow, traditionally Orthodox, underwent a very strong ideological deformation during the Soviet period, when it became the capital of a godless state. Of course, the changing political conditions in the life of the country had a great impact on church life, but if there were no internal forces, if our bishops, priests, abbesses, and nuns did not work, then church life in Moscow would not be boiling with such a fervor right now.
But you know that I have the ability to critically perceive reality. For myself, I always note that I personally did not finish what I did wrong, whether it was me or one of my employees. But I would like to note that the level of performance discipline has increased a lot recently. But how difficult it was to implement the requirements addressed to parishes, deans, and vicars! Well, now all this is really working, and I only ask the Lord that it continue so that no one will ever say, "Well, soul, eat, drink, be merry (see Luke 12:19) - we have achieved everything." Because we have not yet achieved the most important thing, because Moscow is the capital of an Orthodox country, and Russia is the stronghold of Orthodox Christians all over the world.
Thank you all, my dear ones, for the tremendous work that each of you is doing — the bishops, the abbots, and the abbesses. On the other hand, no resting on your laurels! Determine your success rate based on the audience that fills your temples. When there are more than 50% of young and middle-aged people, then you can say: "But we are doing something."
Every day, looking at secular Moscow, I realize that the Orthodox in Moscow are still a minority, and we must become the majority. Not by the statistical majority, not by baptism — they were baptized and forgotten — but for real. Then, I think, the spiritual climate in our entire country will change in many ways. Therefore, a huge responsibility lies with us — the bishops, clergymen, and abbesses — all those who work for the glory of God in the city of Moscow.
I bow low to you for your kind attitude towards the Patriarch. And please accept my wish in return to work in such a way that there really is a rebalancing in Moscow in favor of the Orthodox people."