On September 23, Moscow hosted a gathering of abbots and abbesses of monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church, bringing together 665 participants from 177 dioceses. Patriarch Kirill delivered the keynote address, focusing on preserving monastic ideals in contemporary society. He highlighted fidelity to monastic vows, particularly obedience, poverty, and asceticism, as well as the role of monasteries in strengthening church unity. He also addressed the challenges posed by the digital environment and the importance of preserving the inner life and traditional rhythm of monastic communities. Participants discussed the experience of the Coptic Church and the relevance of ancient monastic traditions today.

Patriarch Kirill also visited Astrakhan, where he consecrated churches dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky and the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. During the visit, he emphasized the importance of restoring churches and monasteries for the spiritual life of the city.

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel arrived in Jerusalem on September 26 for his first peaceful visit, scheduled to continue through September 30. He was received by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. The two patriarchs venerated the holy sites of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and held a thanksgiving service at the Tomb of Christ.

Patriarch Daniel called for prayers for an end to conflict and violence in the Holy Land and around the world, while emphasizing the importance of unity among the Orthodox Churches. A joint Divine Liturgy at the Tomb of Christ is scheduled for Sunday.

Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral visited Poland, taking part in celebrations in Białystok dedicated to the Holy Martyr Gabriel. He presided over the festive service at the cathedral and spoke about the importance of unity among Orthodox Christians. During the visit, he also opened a photography exhibition, Colors of Orthodoxy — Montenegro, and met with representatives of the Białystok municipal administration to discuss the city's history, interfaith cooperation, and relations between the Church and local authorities.

On September 26, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije consecrated the Church of the Assembly of the Holy Archangel Gabriel in Pale, Republika Srpska, and celebrated its first Divine Liturgy. Construction began in 2008, while regular services have been held there since 2015. Located near the faculties of the University of East Sarajevo, the church is intended to serve as a spiritual center for the city. In his sermon, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized its role in bringing people together and called for mutual understanding and good relations among different peoples and religious communities.

Athens hosted celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the modern brotherhood of Mount Athos' Xenophontos Monastery. Representatives of the Church of Greece, Mount Athos, government institutions, and civil society attended the anniversary.

The modern brotherhood was established in 1976, when 15 monks from the monasteries of Meteora arrived at Xenophontos under the leadership of Archimandrite Alexios. Over the following five decades, the community restored monastic buildings, developed its liturgical life, and revived traditional crafts. Participants highlighted monasticism's contribution to preserving spiritual and cultural heritage and stressed the importance of prayer, asceticism, and community life.

Relations between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church have become increasingly strained. The government presented a reform proposal that includes the removal of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the holding of new elections.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin described the proposal as unlawful state interference in the Church's internal affairs and called for disagreements to be addressed through dialogue. Meanwhile, a court extended by another two months the house arrest of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, one of the figures involved in the confrontation with the authorities.

Moscow and Addis Ababa hosted events this week devoted to cooperation between the Russian and Ethiopian Churches. In Moscow, the fourth meeting of a bilateral commission addressed the protection of Christians, education, social ministry, church culture, and pilgrimage.

In Ethiopia, Russian Spiritual Culture Days opened with the participation of representatives of both Churches. The two sides also agreed to continue academic exchanges as well as humanitarian and cultural projects.