The relic of the right hand of St. Spyridon of Trimythous continues its tour of Russian dioceses. After visiting Cheboksary and Kazan, the relic was brought to Diveyevo and Nizhny Novgorod, where 95,600 people venerated it over three days, including 70,600 in the regional capital. On August 28, the reliquary arrived in St. Petersburg. The pilgrimage route now covers 13 regions and will conclude in Moscow on September 20.

Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, who is accompanying the relic, said the reception in Russia had exceeded expectations. He emphasized that the purpose of the visit was to give the faithful an opportunity to receive the saint’s blessing and strengthen their faith. The metropolitan also said that St. Spyridon can help overcome divisions between Orthodox peoples and that the spiritual ties between Russia and Greece cannot be erased by geopolitical circumstances. “The saint’s blessing is above everything temporary and transitory,” he said.

Minsk hosted celebrations on August 26 honoring the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God. The events concluded with a large-scale procession and a festive Divine Liturgy outside the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Approximately 8,500 people, including pilgrims from Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Germany, took part in the procession along Pobediteley Avenue.

The celebrations marked the conclusion of the fifth Belarus-wide pilgrimage procession from Zhirovichi to Minsk. Over nine days, pilgrims traveled approximately 250 kilometers, visited 21 churches, and carried revered copies of the Minsk and Zhirovichi Icons of the Mother of God, along with other holy relics, to the capital.

The tenth anniversary edition of the “In Cyrillic” festival opened in Budva on August 24. Dedicated to Cyrillic heritage and its importance to the cultural and spiritual history of the Serbian people, the festival was attended by Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral. He noted that for more than 11 centuries, Cyrillic had been closely connected with Orthodox tradition, education, theology, and the history of Serbian statehood. The festival will continue until September 15 and includes literary evenings, theatrical performances, concerts, exhibitions, and public discussions.

Crete marked the sixtieth anniversary of the return of the head of St. Titus, the island’s first bishop. On August 22, the relic, which had been kept in Venice for almost three centuries, was solemnly transferred from Heraklion to ancient Gortyna and then to Tympaki. In Gortyna, the apostle’s head was carried into the Byzantine basilica and symbolically placed on the ancient episcopal synthronon. The celebrations concluded on August 25, the feast day of St. Titus.

In Kenya, Patriarchal Exarch for Africa Metropolitan Constantine of Cairo and North Africa consecrated two new churches: one dedicated to St. Athanasius the Great in Nyabigegé and another to the Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen in Tivolvo.

The parishes are also developing social and educational initiatives. These include an orphanage, the construction of schools and churches, and the development of a clean-water source. Metropolitan Constantine held pastoral meetings with the clergy and presented the parishes with crosses and other gifts. Humanitarian aid was distributed, while clergy received motorcycles and other assistance for their ministry.

An attack on members of the Sviatohirsk Lavra took place on August 23. Hieromonk Barsanuphius (Turiansky) was killed, while two others—Monk Gregory and novice Andrei Kirienko—suffered serious stab wounds and were hospitalized. Representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church linked the tragedy to what they described as years of pressure on the canonical Church. The Sviatohirsk Lavra is located in an active war zone and has previously come under repeated shelling.

The attack prompted reactions from Orthodox media and Local Orthodox Churches. Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, expressed condolences to the monastery’s community and called for prayers for the repose of the dead monk, the recovery of the wounded, and the protection of the monastery. Metropolitan Isaac of Germany and Central Europe of the Patriarchate of Antioch also called for the truth to be established and justice pursued, stressing that Christians cannot remain indifferent in the face of violence.

The situation facing believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was also discussed in Moscow. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, met with Metropolitan Anthony, chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Department for External Church Relations, as well as with Russian officials. The talks covered the international situation and matters of mutual interest. Metropolitan Anthony presented the Vatican with information about the position of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Following the Vatican representative’s visit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that relations between Russia and the Vatican remained trusting and pragmatic. He added that dialogue between the two Churches could gain new momentum.