On November 10, 2026, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, chaired a meeting of the organizing committee to prepare for the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the baptism of the Karelians, which will be celebrated in 2027.
Bishop Abel of Petrozavodsk and Karelia, Bishop Boris of Kostomuksha and Kemsky, Abbess Margarita (Feoktistova) of the Novodevichy Stavropol Convent, Head of the Republic of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov, and representatives of federal and regional authorities took part in the meeting.
The participants discussed the preparations for the anniversary events, the restoration of cultural heritage monuments, the creation of museum exhibitions and the development of pilgrimage routes.
Bishop Abel announced that the liturgical celebration will begin on June 3, 2027, on the day of the Council of Karelian Saints. In Petrozavodsk, a festive divine service is planned at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a religious procession, the consecration of the chapel of Blessed Thaddeus of Petrozavodsk and the opening of a memorial exhibition dedicated to the history of temples on Cathedral Square. Festive divine services will be held in all regions of Karelia.
One of the central events of the jubilee year will be the consecration of the foundation stone for the future Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit in Petrozavodsk. Preparations are also continuing for the opening of the Museum of Orthodoxy, the publication of the book "Orthodoxy in Karelia" and the holding of thematic exhibitions are planned.
Special attention was paid at the meeting to the development of the pilgrimage and tourism project "The Great Russian Northern Way", which unites 12 regions of Russia. Its Karelian section "The Way of the Apostles of Northern Russia" with a length of about 900 kilometers will connect ancient Orthodox shrines and cultural heritage monuments.
Preparations for the anniversary are being conducted in accordance with the decree of the President of Russia and bring together the efforts of the Russian Orthodox Church, federal and regional authorities, and public organizations.
Photo: The Russian Government.