The Days of Russian Spiritual Culture were held in India from November 1-4, 2026. New Delhi and Chennai hosted religious services, concerts of sacred music and exhibitions that introduced the people of India to the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church and the rich cultural heritage of Russia.
The solemn events began on November 1 with the Divine Liturgy on the territory of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in New Delhi. The service was led by the rector of the parish of St. Thomas, Priest Dimitri Kulakov. The hymns were performed by the united choir of the Moscow Theological Academy and the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra.
On the same day, the embassy opened a photo exhibition "On World Peace" dedicated to the 80th anniversary of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. A tour of the exhibition was conducted by Priest Sergiy Gorbunov, a representative of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media.
Addressing the guests, the priest emphasized the importance of spiritual culture for strengthening friendly ties between nations.:
"I hope that Russian church singing within these walls will sound like a living word of friendship and brotherly love between our peoples."
Concerts by the united choir of the Moscow Theological Academy and the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra occupied a special place in the program. On November 2, the band performed at the India Habitat Center in New Delhi, and on November 4 at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Chennai.
The choir performed liturgical works by outstanding Russian church composers, spiritual cantos, folk and patriotic songs. The audience was able to get acquainted with the tradition of Russian church singing without instrumental accompaniment.
The events were attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, clergy, cultural and business circles of India, journalists, compatriots and schoolchildren. The young visitors were particularly interested in the photo exhibition dedicated to the ministry of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Days of Spiritual Culture of Russia have been held since 2008 and during this time have covered more than 50 countries of the world. The project aims to introduce foreign audiences to the spiritual traditions, history and culture of Russia, as well as to develop international cultural cooperation.
Russian Russian Seasons NGO organized the events in India with the participation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Days of Russian Spiritual Culture have become another opportunity to strengthen spiritual and cultural ties between Russia and India, showing how music, art and Orthodox traditions help people from different countries to better understand each other.
Photo: ANO "Russian seasons"