On May 17, 2026, the 6th Week after Easter, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the rite of the great consecration of the church of St. Pimen of Ugresh in Orenburg and the Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church.
The clergy of the Orenburg Archdiocese, representatives of regional authorities, benefactors, builders of the temple, students of the Presidential Cadet School and numerous believers prayed at the service.
After the Liturgy, Metropolitan Peter of Orenburg and Saraktash greeted the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and presented him with the Tabyn Icon of the Mother of God.
As a gift to the parish, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill gave an icon of the Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky. Addressing the faithful, the Primate emphasized the importance of prayerful remembrance of the Fatherland, the army and all those who work for the strengthening of the country.
His Holiness the Patriarch also presented Metropolitan Peter with a commemorative cross and panagia, and handed over the Holy Gospels for the churches of the Orenburg Archdiocese. A number of benefactors and representatives of the region were awarded church awards for their help to the Orenburg diocese and their participation in the construction of the temple.
The church of St. Pimen Ugreshsky was built in the Malaya Zemlya area. The idea of its creation belonged to Metropolitan Veniamin (Zaritsky), who especially revered St. Pimen Ugreshsky and initiated his canonization.
The construction of the temple began in 2017. The foundation stone was consecrated in 2018, major construction work was completed in 2019, interior decoration in 2022, painting and installation of mosaic icons by 2024, and landscaping of the surrounding area by 2025.
Icons of St. Pimen Ugreshsky with the Patriarchal blessing were distributed to all those present in the church.