On August 20, 2026, a working meeting dedicated to the preservation of the historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of the Solovetsky Archipelago was held at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Stavropol Monastery under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
The meeting was attended by Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexander Tsybulsky, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region, representatives of federal and regional authorities, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, the Ministry of Finance, and the Fund for the Conservation and Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago.
The Russian Orthodox Church was represented at the meeting by Metropolitan Grigory of Voskresensk, Managing Director of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Nikander of Vladimir and Suzdal, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Department of the Moscow Patriarchate; Bishop Porfiry of Ozersk, Vicar of the Solovetsky Monastery; Bishop Alexy of Ramenskoye, Personal Secretary of His Holiness the Patriarch; and Abbess Xenia (Chernega), head of the Legal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Alexander Beglov, Governor of St. Petersburg, Artur Parfenchikov, Head of the Republic of Karelia, and representatives of a number of government departments joined the remote meeting.
The participants discussed the progress of the restoration of the Solovetsky Monastery, the preservation of the unique architectural ensemble and natural complex of the archipelago, as well as the further development of its infrastructure. Special attention was paid to the interaction of the Church, the state, cultural institutions and the scientific and restoration community.
Addressing the audience, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill stressed that Solovki is an asset that has not only historical and cultural, but above all spiritual significance.
"We really do possess a treasure. God grant that no one will ever encroach on the artistic, cultural and spiritual treasure that we now possess, and that we can protect it together," said the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Patriarch noted that the Solovetsky Monastery is at the same time an outstanding monument of architecture, history and spiritual life. According to him, Solovki has become a symbol of the courage and inner strength of the people, who retained their faith during the years of severe trials and repression.
The Primate of the Russian Church thanked the participants of the meeting for their joint work and expressed the hope that the efforts made would bear spiritual and material fruits, and the legacy of the Solovki would serve the moral and intellectual development of society, especially the younger generation.
After the meeting, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrated the matins of the all-night vigil at the Trinity Cathedral of the Solovetsky Monastery.