Today is a truly historic day for the whole Orthodox Church. For the first time Minsk is hosting 15 patriarchs and archbishops of Orthodox churches from Africa, the Americas, the Middle East and Europe. The anniversary of the Baptism of Rus coincided with the arrival of the St. Andrew's cross in Kiev and Minsk.
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras: The Cross of St. Andrew has for the first time left Patras because of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. The baptism itself took place at the behest of Prince Vladimir and with the blessing of the Byzantine emperor. Therefore, we have a very deep spiritual connection, and with the arrival of the St. Andrew's cross in Belarus the ties will be strengthened even more.
After the service held at the Minsk gates, the shrine was taken to the Apostle Andrew Church. The solemn liturgy headed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was held in the historic center of the Belarusian capital.
Before leaving, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia laid a wreath at the monument in the Victory Square.













