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Patriarch Kirill is a famous Russian religious figure. All his life this man, for certain reasons, devoted himself to serving God and the church. This patriarch was able to become one of the most famous figures of religion in Russian Federation, some people admire his personality, and some - censure.

It is worth noting that many rumors and a variety of gossip were previously associated with the patriarch. Some actually happened, some far-fetched. But what was at the origin? How did Cyril become a minister of the church? How well does he fulfill his obligations and does he generally love what he does?

Patriarch Kirill is not an American, and not even a domestic star, so he does not really need to chase the elusive youth or carefully monitor his figure. By the way, Patriarch Kirill's photo in his youth and now for comparison is very easy to find on the Internet. For him, as a church employee, it is much more profitable to look more respectable. So it becomes clear that he doesn't really care about his height, weight, age. How old is Patriarch Kirill is a simple question. He is now 71 years old. With a height of 178 centimeters, a man weighs 92 kilograms.

Despite all of the above, the man tries to keep track of his own weight, from time to time goes in for swimming, often walks. As you can see, he remembers the truth that you also need to take care of yourself. After all, "God protects those who are saved."

Biography of Patriarch Kirill

Patriarch Kirill (birth name - Vladimir Gundyaev) was born in the late autumn of 1946. An interesting case is worth noting. When, as a baby, his mother first came to church with him, the boy accidentally walked through the Royal Gate. The woman immediately took him to the pastor so that he would forgive the sin, but the priest only dismissed him with the words: "He will be a bishop." Probably, it was the fate of little Vladimir to take the long and thorny path of ministry to the church. Of course, it was still a long way from holding a big position, but at the same time, everything that happened in his life throughout his life, all these events led in the end to one single conclusion - becoming important person in the church. And to receive the title of patriarch, as well as to adopt a new name, Vladimir did not come immediately.

His mother - Raisa Gundyaeva - worked as a school teacher and taught German. And father - Mikhail Gundyaev - it is worth noting that he was also a clergyman. It is difficult to deny that this fact also had a certain influence on Vladimir's choice of further life path... Although, here we can say that the whole family of the future patriarch was associated with religion. His grandfather, for example, was often sent into exile as accused in connection with Christian church... Brother - Nikolai - was a priest in the St. Petersburg cathedral. And my sister, Elena, held the post of director at a theological gymnasium.

Before starting your own religious activities, the future patriarch graduated from school in only eight classes. He tried in geology, but after a few years he entered the seminary, and then the theological academy.

The guy received the name Cyril after taking monasticism. From that very moment, the biography of Patriarch Kirill begins as a minister of the church.

Repeatedly he took part in what related to the development of the Moscow Patriarchate. Starting in the nineties, Kirill began to pay much more attention to relations with society, as well as much more energy to develop this activity. So, in the early nineties, a program appeared on television with his participation - "The Word of the Shepherd." Various religious topics were dealt with in her, and she was very popular not only among ordinary people, but also among high ranks.

A year later, Patriarch Kirill began to actively cooperate with the Russian government. Often he even became a full-fledged member of a variety of advisory organizations. Organized various cultural events. For example, the celebration of two thousand years of Christianity. Moreover, in accordance with information obtained as a result of a survey of the local population in 2012, most of common people approve of the work of the patriarch.

Among other things, Patriarch Kirill maintains a Facebook profile. There he corresponds with visitors to his page, answers questions. Very often he gives answers to those questions that are of particular interest to other people. There are more than five hundred posts on his profile on this social network. He is also the author of books on religion and clergy.

Personal life of Patriarch Kirill

It is worth noting, first of all, that the personal life of Patriarch Kirill simply does not exist, at least according to official sources. He is obliged to serve the church, and all priests, as you know, take a vow of celibacy. Therefore, there is absolutely nothing strange in the fact that this person, despite his already rather advanced age, does not have his own family.

Speaking modern language, he "married his job." After all, he has already spoken more than once about how important it is to spread the light of religion in the world. How true these words are, hardly anyone can seriously say. But one cannot but take into account the fact that this man is a church servant and a priori he should not have love affairs.

Family of Patriarch Kirill

Taking into account all of the above, it can be assumed that the family of Patriarch Kirill is the same clergy like himself. He has no official wife, as well as no children. The most important thing, in his opinion, is to spend your life devoting it to the development of the commonwealth. religious houses on the international level.

And he does it very well, because even in his young years he successfully overcame the path of a clergyman in order to eventually achieve who he is now. It is difficult to say whether he suffers from the fact that he did not leave behind heirs. But, if you look at it from the other side, he doesn't have much time for this either. And it cannot be said that he is lonely, because believers constantly come to him, for advice or with requests.

Patriarch Kirill on a yacht with girls

The patriarch, although he is not a singer or actor, nevertheless, he is a well-known throughout the country, a public person. It is not surprising that scandals gather around this person with enviable regularity. Very often he was accused of all sorts of sins. And it's difficult to make out where the truth is, and where the fiction is. Once there was even a rumor that Patriarch Kirill often spends his free time on a yacht with girls, and spends all church receipts on personal benefits.

The patriarch himself, of course, denies such rumors or even simply ignores them, claiming that these are only slander and slander on the part of ill-wishers and those who go against the church. Of course, everyone is sinful, but it is not easy to assert how reliable the accusations against Kirill are. After all, he serves God with faith and truth, but, be that as it may, he is a man.

Yaponchik and Patriarch Kirill are one person

It must be added that the personality of the patriarch is often associated not only with gossip, but also with a variety of rumors. Sometimes it even reaches the absurd. Take at least the recent rumor that Yaponchik and Patriarch Kirill are one person. This rumor mentions the famous thief Mishka Yaponchik, who died in the early 2000s.

Some people notice striking coincidences among these celebrities. So, for example, they say that the patriarch has a problematic past and thus he hid so as not to go to jail. This rumor was neither confirmed nor denied, but most of the parishioners believe that these are the tricks of the patriarch's ill-wishers who want to tarnish his dignity.

Children of Patriarch Kirill

As noted earlier, this person has no natural children. The children of Patriarch Kirill are believers. Parishioners and those in need of support or advice. This is what the patriarch himself asserts. He said many times that he could help those who came to him. For this, he also began to master social networks so that he could give answers to the most interesting questions.

There is a possibility, of course, that he would like to have children of his own. But the presence of dignity does not allow indulging in such worldly pleasures as a quiet life, a spouse and a child. But Vladimir preferred the path of a clergyman.

Patriarch Kirill's wife

The wife of Patriarch Kirill - for a man, this is a topic that it is better not to raise. After all, when he stepped on the path of a minister of the church, having made this choice, he completely deprived himself of love. And although you can often hear that Cyril committed a sin, that he was often seen surrounded by young girls, nothing has been officially proven.

Most people believe that this is only fiction, and that in reality the patriarch serves his church faithfully and does not plan to retreat from his path. According to official information, this priest has neither children nor a beloved wife. He considers the church to be his home, and calls the parishioners children.

How much does Patriarch Kirill's watch cost?

Some time ago, a clock could be seen at this churchman. And even an ordinary person, at one glance at them, can understand that the cost of a watch is far from small. Therefore, almost immediately after this, rumors spread that Cyril was very much abusing his existing powers, and wasting church receipts for personal purposes.

Many were interested in the question: how much does Patriarch Kirill's watch cost? The patriarch himself actively denied everything and even tried to hide the expensive thing from prying eyes, but nevertheless it became known that this watch by Patriarch Kirill Breguet is a fairly well-known brand, and they cost about 30 thousand euros. As you can see, the Holy Father does not mind sometimes pampering himself with too expensive trinkets.

Patriarch Kirill "Word of the Shepherd"

It has already been mentioned that Patriarch Kirill has already collaborated with society more than once in order to bring talk about God to the people. A similar project of his was the popular on television program "Word of the Shepherd" with his participation. Patriarch Kirill chaired the "Word of the Shepherd", considering a variety of religious topics, answering pressing questions. And although it seems that at present there are few people watching religious channels, or just programs, a little earlier this program gained immense popularity not only among lay people, but also among officials. The TV show was launched in order to help anyone who wants to reconsider their views on life or needs help.

The Patriarch never refused to help those who tried to fix their lives. Of course, it was not without evil tongues, which said that all this is required by Cyril only to attract more attention to himself. It is difficult to say how reliable this is, but, be that as it may, one must respect his dignity. As for rumors, they have always surrounded public people.

Patriarch Kirill, whose biography is of interest to many people today, is the Primate of the Orthodox Russian Church and is recognized as one of the most influential and respected people of our time. The facts of his life confirm the true destiny of a person who chose this difficult but noble path of serving God in life.

The biography of Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev Vladimir Mikhailovich) began in the Soviet Union. He was born in 1946, November 20. His father worked in those years as a mechanic at the plant. and my mother taught at high school German. The family was very pious and intelligent, they honored the Bible and observed all Christian commandments. The paternal grandfather went through Stalin's exile and labor camps. Vladimir's grandfather was one of the first prisoners of the famous Solovetsky camp, and he was convicted of fighting against church renovation and spent about 30 years in prison. Father, Mikhail Vasilyevich, graduated from the Higher Courses of Theology, but for "disloyalty" to the authorities was arrested in 1934 and spent three years in a camp in Kolyma. After the birth of his son Vladimir, Mikhail Vasilievich became a priest in 1947. He was ordained a deacon, and then a priest, starting to serve at a church located on Vasilievsky Island.

Patriarch Kirill - biography

In high school, Vladimir studied 8 classes, combining last years study with the work of a cartographer. In 1965, he entered the Higher Theological Academy, from which he brilliantly graduated in 1970. In 1969, Vladimir Gundyaev was tonsured into monasticism, after which he was named Cyril. From this moment, a new stage in the life of the future Cyril begins. He works hard and hard: he teaches, is an assistant inspector of theological schools of Leningrad and a class teacher, as a secretary of the Metropolitan of Leningrad and Novgorod Nikodim (Nikolai Rotov). In 1971 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. Patriarch Kirill, whose biography contains information about his extraordinary hard work and desire to serve God and people, is worthy of all respect. In 1974 he became the rector of the theological academy and soon the bishop of Vyborg, and in 1984 - the archbishop of Smolensk and Vyazemsky. The future patriarch became Archbishop of Smolensk and Kaliningrad in 1986, and in 1991 he was elevated to the next rank of metropolitan.

Metropolitan Kirill - biography

Since 1989, he has been Chairman of the Department of External Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, Chairman of the Synod Commission. He successfully serves for the good of the Fatherland and Orthodoxy. Despite this workload, Metropolitan Kirill begins to broadcast the spiritual and educational program “The Word of the Shepherd” on Channel One, which to this day brings the Word of God to people. Metropolitan Kirill, whose biography can serve as an example of selfless service to our Lord and people, devotes all his efforts to serving society, considering this his main duty.

On January 27, 2010 he was elected His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. The living Patriarch Kirill, whose biography is full of bright events Orthodox life, carries the Patriarchal Cross with dignity and contributes to the ever greater strengthening of Orthodoxy not only in our country, but also in the CIS and countries around the world. He constantly makes pastoral visits, takes part in divine services, with his direct participation, 8 new dioceses have been created. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill is constantly working for the good not only of the Orthodox, but also of representatives of others. religious denominations, whose respect he deserves. The biography of Patriarch Kirill continues, and all Orthodox Christians pray that the Lord will give him many years and good health for further work in this difficult patriarchal career.

At the Local Council held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad was elected the 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. Here are some finishing touches to his portrait.

The future Patriarch told about his grandfather: “I had a grandfather wonderful person... He went through 47 prisons and 7 exile, lived in prison for almost 30 years and was one of the first Solovki residents. He worked as a machinist on the railway of the Kazan direction, and sat only because he fought against Renovationism, which at one time was inspired by the Cheka, and then the NKVD for the destruction of the Church.

They had a very interesting fate with their grandmother. After all, when the grandfather was imprisoned, the grandmother remained free. And when he was imprisoned for the second time, and this was in the 30s, when famine raged in the country, she said: that's it, now we are going to die. And they had eight children: seven relatives and one adopted daughter. And the grandfather said: since I will, as it were, carry the cross for Christ, you will remain alive. Then my grandmother said that at some point she understood: everything, life is over, because only a small handful of flour remained for everyone. She made some kind of cakes from this flour, they ate them, and tomorrow there was nothing to eat. And then at night there was a knock on the window. Grandmother jumps up, and from the street a voice: mistress, take the load. She opened the door - there was a sack full of flour, and there was no one around. This sack of flour saved my father too, and gave me the opportunity to be born. "

His father worked as the chief mechanic of a defense enterprise in Leningrad, before the war he was repressed, sat in Kolyma, then built fortifications during the defense of Leningrad. During the war years, he was the military representative at the Gorky plant and received T-34 tanks before being sent to the front.

He received the church name Cyril in 1969, when he was tonsured a monk by Metropolitan Nikodim of Leningrad. And Volodya began to "serve" at the age of three and by the age of six or seven he could have served a prayer service or a panikhida by heart. Once in my childhood I accidentally entered royal gates temple, walked along the altar and left. Mom took him by the hand and led him to the abbot of the temple. The priest looked at his frightened mother, smiled and said: "Nothing, he will be a bishop."

At school, Volodya was one of the best in the class. In the 60s, they wrote about him in the newspapers: where does the school look when there is such a boy in Leningrad who studies with grades and believes in God. According to the future Patriarch, it was a difficult time: "I went to school as to Calvary."

He is very fond of reading, used to since childhood. He recalls that it was easier for him, the son of a priest: in the house there was a large collection of works on theology, history, including works of Russian philosophers, most of which became available to a wide range of readers only in recent years.

WITH early years the future Patriarch was fond of alpine skiing. He learned to skate in Krasnoe Selo on Voronya Gora, from which the Germans fired at Leningrad. Later he descended from Mont Blanc. He once explained to journalists who were perplexed how church activities and sports can be connected: "Spiritual training, which is given to us by asceticism, fasting, prayer and physical training, which is impossible without volitional efforts, together provide a very important result - the upbringing of a human personality." ...

And also about his hobby: “What does a person usually do when he sees an abyss in front of him? an ordinary person- back. Self-preservation reaction. Instinct. And the skier is always ahead. And the steeper, the more forward. This means - to meet the danger consciously, in defiance of instincts, in defiance of human weakness. "

He also loves to walk and swim. On vacation, every day he swims several kilometers without stopping, the same amount passes. In contrast to the fashion for Labradors (it appeared in the VIP environment after the appearance of the Labrador from Putin) contains shepherd dogs. In the evening, having arrived home, he puts on a tracksuit and walks his dogs: “For the whole day they will sit at home and run so hard on the street that I can hardly keep up with them. every evening I go and run about five or six kilometers. "

Love for animals is selective. He is attached to dogs, but he is completely indifferent to cats.

Boeing 737-300, named after him: Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, flies in Kaliningrad. The plane operates regular flights to Europe, and now it will have to be slightly renamed.

As a metropolitan, he impressed many with a statement that he saw no reason to fight the desire of some rock musicians to use the theme of Orthodoxy in their work. And he even promised to support modern rock culture, making a reservation: "If we see that it contributes to the moral growth of the individual." He believes that often rock musicians at a concert "say a few phrases about Orthodoxy that make a greater impression on young people than a long sermon in a church."

At the same time, he himself never attended rock concerts: "I never heard how Kinchev and Shevchuk do it, but I met with them, and the discussion was very interesting, communication with them made a good impression on me. They are both sincere people, Orthodox." ...

He advocates for the right to religious education at school. He calls the objections of opponents about the multinationality and multi-religious nature of Russia "horror stories" and believes that it is impossible to forbid the absolute majority of the people to study the basics of their religious culture... At the same time, according to Cyril, Fundamentals Orthodox culture should not be imposed on everyone and without options. There should be an alternative: "If there are Muslims in the class, the Fundamentals of Islamic Culture can be taught for them."

Condemns civil marriages, opposes explicit television shows on television. At the same time, it allows the appearance of women in the temple with bare head... When asked why women should wear a headscarf in the temple, he told a story from his life.

“To put on a headdress or not is a question of our national Orthodox culture and tradition. If you go to church every Sunday, you will not notice how you yourself begin to put on a headscarf. As, for example, Muslim women do it. I remember I served in Tehran , in our church. I look, there are women in clothes to the floor, in headscarves, quiet, modest, like angels. I serve, I have such a fertile mood. It turned out that the wives of our diplomats. And in the evening I was invited to a reception. And there I saw the same women, but in a completely different form: so fashionable and elegant that it is impossible to imagine. And these were just such shy women in headscarves. Why is a headscarf needed in the church? Because the thoughts of people in the church should be focused on prayer. beautiful woman naturally attracts attention - and distracts from worship. "

An incident from the life of the chosen Patriarch

And after a short time, maybe two or three weeks passed, another embassy employee, who also held a very high position, came to me and asked me to do the same. And he also warned that he was at great risk. And then he asked me to make sure that the one whom I had married before him would never know about it. Because, from his point of view, he was the most dangerous person among those who could harm him. And then I thought: Lord, we live in the Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors! The two Orthodox Christians who might have been close friends are divided by ideological fears and prejudices.

Hypocrisy is a sin. And the Lord will punish such people. But if this is some kind of timid, still poorly understood, but still a real movement towards God - so thank God! The church should not condemn anyone. She should open the door to the temples for everyone and help them stay in this temple.

church in the USSR and Russia

1988 2008

76 dioceses 157 dioceses

74 bishops 203 bishops

6893 parishes 29 263 parishes

6674 priests 27,216 priests

723 deacons 3454 deacons

A family

Paternal Patriarch mordvin, (surname Gundyaev from the old Mordovian name Gundyay). Grandfather - Vasily Gundyaev- Priest - passed 47 prisons and 7 exile, spent almost 30 years in prison. He served time, including in Solovki. He ended up in prison because he fought against the renovationism of the church, which at one time was inspired by the Cheka.

Father is a priest Mikhail Vasilievich Gundyaev(January 18, 1907 - October 13, 1974). Graduated from the Higher Theological Courses in Leningrad; served for two years in the Red Army, in 1933 he graduated from the Mechanical College, entered the Leningrad Industrial Institute. But he did not finish it - he was accused of political disloyalty, arrested and sentenced to 3 years. Served time for Kolyma.

After the war, on March 9, 1947, he was ordained a deacon, on March 16 of the same year - a priest by Metropolitan Gregory (Chukov) of Leningrad, appointed to the Church of the Smolensk Icon Mother of God on Vasilievsky Island.

In 1951 he was transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral, where he acted as assistant rector. In 1960 he was transferred by the rector of the Alexander Nevsky Church in Krasnoe Selo; then the Seraphim Church, in 1972 - became the rector of the Nikolsky Church on Bolshaya Okhta.

Mother - Raisa Vladimirovna Gundyaeva(November 7, 1909 - November 2, 1984); virgin Kuchina, taught German at school.

Elder brother - archpriest Nikolay Gundyaev- worked as a rector St. Petersburg Theological Academy, professor, rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

The younger sister Elena works as the director of an Orthodox gymnasium.

Biography

Was born on November 20, 1946 in Leningrad. While still a schoolboy, he worked in the Leningrad Integrated Geological Expedition of the North-Western Geological Administration, from 1962 to 1965 as a cartographer-technician.

In 1965 he entered the Leningrad Theological Seminary, then - the Leningrad Theological Academy.

On April 3, 1969, Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) of Leningrad and Novgorod was tonsured into monasticism with the name Kirill. In the same year, on April 7, he was ordained a hierodeacon, and on June 1, a hieromonk.

In 1970 he graduated with honors Leningrad Theological Academy, received the degree of candidate of theology (dissertation on the topic "Formation and development church hierarchy and the teachings of the Orthodox Church about its blessed character. ") He remained at the Academy as a professor fellow, teacher of dogmatic theology and assistant inspector.

From August 30, 1970, he served as the personal secretary of the Metropolitan of Leningrad Nikodima (Rotova).

On September 12, 1971, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. In the same year he became the representative of the Moscow Patriarchate at World Council of Churches in Geneva.

At the age of 28 (December 26, 1974) he was appointed rector of the Leningrad Theological Academy and Seminary. He organized a special regency class for girls and introduced physical education lessons into the program.

In December 1975 he became a member of the Central Committee and the Executive Committee World Council of Churches, and since 1975 - a member of the "Faith and Order" commission of the World Council of Churches, since March 3, 1976 - a member of the Synodal Commission on Christian Unity and Interchurch Relations.

On September 9, 1977, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop, and on October 12, 1978, he was appointed administrator of the patriarchal parishes in Finland. In the same year he was appointed chairman of the Department for External Church Relations.

Since 1983 - taught in graduate school at Moscow Theological Academy.

Since December 26, 1984 - Archbishop of Smolensk and Vyazemsky. The transfer to the provincial department was associated with the refusal to vote in 1980 for the resolution of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, which condemned the introduction of Soviet troops into Afghanistan, as well as other anti-religious motives of the USSR authorities.

In April 1989 he became "Archbishop of Smolensk and Kaliningrad".

November 14, 1989 became Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations Moscow Patriarchate, permanent member Holy Synod .

Since 1990 - appointed chairman of the Holy Synod's commission for the revival of religious and moral education and charity, a member of the Synodal Biblical Commission.

Since 1993 - co-chairman, since 1995 - Deputy Head of the World Russian People's Council. Since 1994 Honorary President of the World Conference "Religion and Peace"... Since February 26, 1994 - Member of the Synodal Theological Commission.

Since 1994, he has become the host of the spiritual and educational program "Word of the Shepherd" on Channel One.

In 1995-2000, he headed the Synodal Working Group on the development of the concept of the Russian Orthodox Church on issues of church-state relations and problems of modern society.

On December 6, 2008, the day after the death of Patriarch Alexy II, at a meeting of the Holy Synod by secret ballot, Kirill was elected Patriarchal Locum Tenens.

December 10, 2008 became the chairman of the commission created by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church for the preparation of Bishop's and Local Councils(slated for the end of January 2009) Russian Orthodox Church.

On December 29, 2008, he told reporters that he was speaking " strongly against any reforms" in the church.

On December 30, 2008, at a meeting with students of the Sretensky Theological Seminary, he said that, in his opinion, a huge problem church life before the revolution was that it was not possible to create a strong Orthodox intelligentsia, which he dreamed of Anthony Khrapovitsky(First Hierarch of the ROCOR banned by the Moscow Patriarchate).

On January 27, 2009, at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, he was elected the 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, gaining 508 votes out of 677 (75%).

On February 1, 2009, Metropolitan Kirill was enthroned into the patriarchal dignity in Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

On March 11, 2009, during a trip around the country, he said that the main criterion in assessing the activities of the Church should be the moral state of society, and not the fullness of churches.

April 16, 2009 at Maundy Thursday, committed rite of washing the feet- "for the first time in modern history."

April 29, 2009, during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko, said: " For the Russian Orthodox Church, Kiev is our Constantinople with its Hagia Sophia; it is the spiritual center and the southern capital of Russian Orthodoxy".

On July 4-6, 2009, he made his first, as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, official foreign visit - Istanbul (Patriarchate of Constantinople). Following his talks with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, talked about a thaw in the traditionally tensions between the two patriarchies. The Patriarch also met with the head of the Office of Religious Affairs under the Turkish government.

In 2011, he made 21 archpastoral visits to 19 dioceses of Russia, Ukraine and Moldova.

According to the results of a sociological survey conducted at the end of June 2012 by VTsIOM, 46% of respondents treated the Patriarch with respect, in 27% he inspires hope, trust - in 19%, sympathy - in 17% of respondents; distrust causes 4% of the respondents, disappointment - 2%, indifference - 13%, antipathy - 1% of survey participants, 1% condemn it or perceive it skeptically.

In August 2012, information appeared that the Patriarch became a user for the first time in history. social network Facebook with a PatriarhKirill account. However, back in May 2012, the deacon Alexander Volkov- the deputy head of the press service of the Moscow Patriarchate noted that "this is not the personal page of Patriarch Kirill, but one of the official information resources of the Moscow Patriarchate," and clarified that " the resource will not be a source of direct communication with the Holy Patriarch".

In September 2012, at the invitation of the Primate Polish Orthodox Church Archbishop Savva of Warsaw made an official visit to Catholic Poland, where he met both with representatives of Orthodox churches and with the Catholic clergy. This visit was not only ecclesiastical, but also political; this trip became important step to improve relations with the Holy See. These actions have generated a positive response in Vatican.

From June 1 to June 7, 2013, the Patriarch was on his first official visit to Greece, where he met with the Pontic Greeks. From 8 to 9 September visited Transnistria.

November 11, 2014 at cathedral Moscow opened XVIII World Russian People's Council under the banner "The unity of history, the unity of the people, the unity of Russia."

Patriarch Kirill, speaking to the audience, said: " 2014 opened new chapter in world history - dramatic. Those who consider themselves the winners of the Cold War instill in everyone that the path of development they define is correct and, moreover, the only possible one for humanity. Dominating the information space, they impose their understanding of the economy and state structure on the world, seek to suppress the determination to uphold values ​​and ideals that are different from their values ​​and ideals associated with the idea of ​​a consumer society. The Russian people are the most important subject of national relations in Russia and their national interests should not be ignored, but taken into account with maximum attention in order to achieve harmony with the interests of other national communities".

And in conclusion, the Patriarch turned to the elites: " It is necessary that we at all levels realize that the interests of the Russian people should not be ignored, but taken into account as much as possible. So that the elite understands that true Russian self-awareness does not threaten the integrity of Russia and the international world, but, on the contrary, acts as a guarantor of the country's unity", - concluded the Patriarch.

Social activity

Since January 13, 1995 - Member of the Public Council under the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation on the settlement of the situation in Chechen Republic.

Since May 24, 1995 - member of the Presidium of the Commission under the President of the Russian Federation for State Prizes of the Russian Federation in the field of literature and art.

From August 2, 1995 to May 28, 2009 - member of the Council for Interaction with Religious Associations under the President of the Russian Federation.

Since February 19, 1996, he has been a member of the board of the Russian State Maritime Historical and Cultural Center (Maritime Center).

Since December 4, 1998 - a member of the Russian organizing committee for preparations for the meeting of the third millennium and the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of Christianity.

Since October 10, 2005 - member of the organizing committee for the Year of the Russian Federation in the People's Republic of China and Year of the People's Republic of China In Russian federation.

Since September 1, 2007 - member of the organizing committee for the Year of the Russian Federation in the Republic of India and the Year of the Republic India In Russian federation.

Scandals, rumors

Late 1990s - early 2000s newspaper journalist "Moscow's comsomolets" Sergei Bychkov accused Metropolitan Kirill of using tax incentives provided by the government in the early 1990s on the import of alcoholic (church wine) and tobacco products.

According to the newspaper, the Nika financial and trading group was engaged in the import of tobacco products, the vice-president of which was the archpriest Vladimir Veriga- Commercial Director of the Department for External Church Relations, headed by Kirill. Journalist Sergei Bychkov has published a number of articles about this commercial activity.

Back then, Metropolitan Kirill, recognizing the fact of import transactions on behalf of the DECR, repeatedly denied accusations of personal interest, he called such publications "a completely concrete political order," and this was written about "not by newspapers, but by one newspaper."

After the collapse of the USSR, the Commission of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Russia to investigate the causes and circumstances GKChP from the sources transmitted to her, she concluded that the authorities The KGB In the USSR, church bodies were used for their own purposes by recruiting and sending KGB agents into them.

That is, some of the hierarchs of the ROC were agents The KGB... Based on a comparison of the well-known foreign trips of the agent "Mikhailov" and Vladyka Kirill, the commission formed an opinion about the identity of Vladyka Kirill and the agent of "Mikhailov". In 2003 member Moscow Helsinki Group Priest Yuri Edelstein sent a letter to the President of Russia V. V. Putin, where he also accused Metropolitan Kirill of having links with the KGB.

In 2005, Kirill supported the position of the mayor of Moscow to ban the parade of sex minorities in the city. In an interview with Der Spiegel in January 2008, he also confirmed his unequivocal condemnation of homosexuality, but spoke out against the persecution of homosexual persons ( they have the right to live as they think is right).

Visit of the Patriarch to Ukraine by invitation Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church(July 27 - August 5, 2009) was accompanied by local riots in Kiev, as well as protest actions of Ukrainian non-canonical church jurisdictions.

Speaking on July 29 in Kiev Pechersk Lavra at a meeting with clergy, laity, teachers and students of the Kiev Theological Academy, the Patriarch criticized " influence on Western Christian theology of the ideas of the Enlightenment and the philosophical ideas of liberalism".

On August 5, on the final day of the visit, Kirill said that he was not opposed to spending six months in Moscow, six months in Kiev, and "would be ready to accept Ukrainian citizenship." The next day, the business manager UOC archbishop Mitrofan(Yurchuk) insisted that the last statement was a joking response.

In September of the same year, following the results of the Patriarch’s visit, the newspaper “Argumenty Nedeli” reported that “a certain circle of so-called siloviki” did not like some of the Patriarch’s political actions, in particular, during his visit to Ukraine.

September 25, 2009, while on a visit to Belarus, during a meeting with the President Alexander Lukashenko, The Patriarch said: " The Church is always ready to support the strengthening and development of the union of fraternal states and assist in the dialogue of the Belarusian leadership with the Russian authorities".

Addressing the people from the porch of the Church of All Saints under construction in Minsk, he said that he is aware of himself " as the Patriarch of the people who came out of the Kiev baptismal font". Apparently he meant that the Moscow Patriarchate does not intend to reconcile the limits of its local ecclesiastical jurisdiction with the new state borders that arose after the collapse of the USSR.

With such a statement, Kirill called into question the "reality" of the sovereignty of many states: " there are many countries in the world that consider themselves sovereign, but which are unable to act, including in the international arena, in full accordance with their national interests"This statement had a big negative impact.

On February 25, 2010, on the day of the inauguration of the fourth President of Ukraine, together with Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine Volodymyr (Sabodan), he addressed the new head of state for the first time in the history of Ukraine.

The Patriarch's participation in the event in connection with the inauguration of the president of a foreign state (the first such act in the history of the Moscow Patriarchate) drew criticism from a number of Ukrainian politicians. Portal-Credo.Ru disseminated officially unconfirmed information that the Moscow Patriarchate is considering the possibility of replacing the Kiev See, along with the Moscow See, by Patriarch Kirill, after the departure of Metropolitan Vladimir.

On Christmas 2012, Patriarch Kirill called on the authorities to listen to popular protests and adjust the political course, stressing that in terms of the development of democracy in Russia, almost nothing has changed since the Soviet era, or has changed only for the worse, since the lower level of government, which is in close contact with the people , causes persistent rejection among the people. But at the same time he urged people "not to succumb to provocations", "to be able to express disagreement" and "not to destroy the country."

At the beginning of 2012, a loud scandal arose around a court case for compensation for damage to an apartment belonging to the Patriarch, the defendant of which was the neighbor Yuri Shevchenko... According to the position of the plaintiff registered and living in the patriarchal apartment Lydia Leonova and a court decision, based on an examination carried out by IONKh experts, dust from repairs in Shevchenko's apartment contained components hazardous to health, including nanoparticles, and caused damage to the Patriarch's apartment, furniture and a collection of books.

The amount of the claim was about 19.7 million rubles. Such large sum The lawsuit and the unclear status of Leonova have sparked numerous critical articles in the media and discussion in the blogosphere. In an interview with a journalist, the Patriarch explained that he had nothing to do with the lawsuit filed by his second cousin Leonova, who was registered in his apartment.

At the same time, Kirill argued that the money that ex-Minister of Health Shevchenko paid Leonova in the lawsuit would go towards cleaning the library and charity.

In 2011 on its pages "New Newspaper" reported that the protection of the Patriarch is carried out by employees of the Federal Security Service ( FSO), despite the fact that the Patriarch is not a civil servant. In December 2011, a special amendment was made to the federal law "On Protection". In accordance with it, taxpayers now pay not only for the protection of officials, but also for "other persons." The state ranked the head of the Russian Orthodox Church among these "other persons", providing him with protection because of the alleged a large number threats addressed to Kirill from "militant atheists".

The fact that the Patriarch had state protection was confirmed to Gazeta.Ru by the head of the Patriarch's press service, Archpriest Vladimir Vigilyansky, who emphasized that: “President Yeltsin had made such a decision.” However, Patriarch Alexy was guarded much more modestly, according to scheme number three - "just our car plus accompanying staff." Now the protection of the Patriarch is carried out according to the "presidential scheme". This scheme includes "work on the route, at the place of stay, at the exit. Plus escort. In total, more than 300 employees are involved in the protection of the Patriarch," a source in the press service of the FSO said.

In 2012, Patriarch Kirill at a meeting with the Minister of Justice Alexander Konovalov once again "trumped" his Breguet watch for 20 thousand dollars. The ministers of the press service of the Patriarchate wiped the clock in Photoshop, but forgot about their reflection on the table. This fact did not escape the attention of bloggers, who made it the No. 1 news in the shortest possible time. Further, at the suggestion of Patriarch Kirill himself, the story of the clock received an even more unexpected continuation. First, the Patriarch called the photo with Breguet Photoshop, and then unexpectedly recognized the watch as a "gift".

In the same year, the Patriarch made an appeal not to ignore the action committed by the punk group Pussy Riot at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Largely, thanks to the irreconcilable position of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Patriarch personally, on August 17, 2012, 3 members of the group were sentenced under the article hooliganism and sentenced to 2 years in prison in a general regime colony.

In response to criticism in connection with this, as well as a number of scandalous cases, the Moscow Patriarchate, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and some politicians announced an organized campaign to discredit the Patriarch and the Russian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Kirill himself on June 16, 2012, on the air of the "Word of the Shepherd" program on Channel One, called people "who criticize the church" "demanding spiritual healing."

year 2014. Another scandal erupted in connection with Patriarch Kirill's congratulations on his victory in the presidential elections in Ukraine. And Kirill did it earlier than the President of the Russian Federation.

"Together with many people, I hope that the powers of power that are in your hands today will serve the good of the East, West, North and South of Ukraine.", - said Patriarch Kirill.

Many considered Poroshenko's congratulations on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church an insult to the inhabitants of eastern Ukraine, against whom the war was unleashed, as well as an insult to the Russian people, against whom a propaganda war is being waged thanks to the efforts of the new Ukrainian government.

At the end of September 2015, the Public Network Movement, funded, published on the Internet a photo report allegedly from the vacation of the Russian Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill on a luxury yacht Azimut costing about 680 thousand euros.

… KIRILL (in the world Vladimir Mikhailovich GUNDYAEV) Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of the Russian Orthodox Church (2008-), Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Deputy Head of the World Russian People's Council Born November 20, 1946 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), in the family of a priest. Grandfather - Vasily Gundyaev- a railway mechanic by profession, one of the active fighters against renovation in the Nizhny Novgorod region under the leadership of Metropolitan Sergius (Stargorodsky, later Patriarch), was arrested in 1922, was serving time in Solovki; returning from prison, in the mid-50s he became a priest. Father, archpriest Mikhail Vasilievich Gundyaev- in the 30s he was repressed, in the 40s he was a leading engineer of one of the military factories of besieged Leningrad, in 1947 he was ordained a priest, served in the Leningrad diocese. Brother, archpriest Nikolay Mikhailovich Gundyaev, since 1977, rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral of St. Petersburg, professor at St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. Sister - Elena, an Orthodox teacher. At school he did not join the pioneers and the Komsomol for religious convictions; became the hero of an anti-religious publication in a city newspaper. In 1961, he left his parental home (the family had lived in Krasnoe Selo near Leningrad since 1959) and went to work at the cartographic bureau of the Leningrad Integrated Geological Expedition. In parallel, he studied at an evening school, which he graduated in 1964. In 1965-67, with the blessing of the Metropolitan of Leningrad and Novgorod Nikodima (Rotova) studied at the Leningrad Theological Seminary (LDS). In 1967-69 he studied at the Leningrad Theological Academy (LDA), which he graduated with honors. June 1, 1970 received the degree of candidate of theology for the essay "The Formation and Development of the Church Hierarchy and the Teaching of the Orthodox Church on its grace-filled character." V student years in March-April 1968 he took part in the 3rd All Christian Peace Congress (WMC) in Prague; in July 1968 - at the IV Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Uppsala. He took part in the annual meetings of the Central Committee of the WCC as a young adviser, was vice-chairman of the youth commission of the Christian Peace Congress (KMK).

On April 3, 1969, he was tonsured into monasticism by Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) of Leningrad and Novgorod, on April 7, 1969 he was ordained a hierodeacon, and on June 1, 1969, a hieromonk.

After graduating from the academy, he was left at the LDA as a professor scholarship, teacher of dogmatic theology and assistant inspector of the LDA and S. Since August 30, 1970 - personal secretary of Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), ​​chairman of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR). On September 12, 1971, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, then he was appointed representative of the Moscow Patriarchate at the WCC in Geneva, rector of the parish of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. In 1971, he represented theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church at the General Assembly of the World Orthodox youth organization SYNDESMOS (at this assembly, theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church became members of SYNDESMOS) and was elected a member of its executive committee. In 1972 he accompanied Patriarch Pimen on his trip to the countries of the Middle East, as well as to Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Greece and Romania. On December 26, 1974, he was appointed rector of the LDA and Ss by dismissal of the representative of the MP at the WCC. Since June 7, 1975 - Chairman of the Diocesan Council of the Leningrad Diocese. Since December 1975 - member of the Central Committee and the Executive Committee of the WCC. On September 9, 1976, he was appointed permanent representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in the plenary commission of the WCC. In November 1975, at the Ecumenical Assembly in Nairobi, he condemned the letter of Fr. Gleb Yakunin on the persecution of believers in the USSR and denied violations of the rights of believers. In December 1975 he was elected a member of the Central and Executive Committees of the WCC. On March 3, 1976, at a meeting of the Holy Synod, he was determined to be bishop of Vyborg, vicar of the Leningrad diocese. At the same time, he was introduced to the Commission of the Holy Synod on Christian unity and interchurch relations. Khirotonisan March 14, 1976. On April 27-28, 1976, as a member of the delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate, he took part in the negotiations with the representatives of Pax Christie Internationalis. September 9, 1976 approved as a permanent representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in the plenary commission of the WCC. From November 18, 1976 to October 12, 1978 - Deputy Patriarchal Exarch Western Europe(according to the report of November 4, 1976, Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), ​​Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe, on the need to appoint a deputy to him in connection with the fifth heart attack - with the proposal of Kirill's candidacy). On November 21-28, 1976, he took part in the First Pre-Council Pan-Orthodox Conference in Geneva. From January 22 to January 31, 1977, he headed a delegation from the Leningrad and Novgorod dioceses at the anniversary of the Patriarchal communities in Finland. From 19 to 26 July 1977, at the head of a delegation from theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church, he attended the IX General Assembly of Syndesmos in Chambesy.

From 12 to 19 October 1977, together with Patr. Pimen was on an official visit to Patras. Demetrius I (Patriarchate of Constantinople). From November 23 to December 4, 1977, at the head of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, he visited Italy. On December 23-25, 1977, with a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church headed by Patriarch Pimen, he took part in the enthronement of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. On June 22-27, 1978, he was present with a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the Fifth All-Christian Peace Congress in Prague. On October 6-20, 1978 he took part in negotiations with representatives of the Roman Catholic Church. On October 12, 1978, he was relieved of his post as Deputy Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe and was appointed administrator of the patriarchal parishes in Finland (he served them until 1984). From March 27 to March 29, 1979, he participated in the Consultation "The Responsibility of the Churches of the USSR and the USA for Disarmament." From 12 to 24 July of the same year, he headed the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the World Conference "Faith, Science and the Future" in Cambridge (USA). From 9 to 24 November 1979, as part of a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, at the invitation of the French Episcopal Conference, he visited France. On November 16, 1979, he was appointed a member of the Holy Synod Commission on Christian Unity. From 28 to 31 January 1980, he was present in Budapest at a meeting of representatives of Churches from the socialist countries of Europe and leaders of the WCC. On May 29, 1980, on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church, he took part in the first meeting of the Mixed Orthodox-Roman Catholic Commission on Fr. Patmos and Rhodes. August 14-22, 1980 - participant of the 32nd meeting of the Center. Committee of the WCC in Geneva. August 22-25 - member of the delegation of representatives of the Churches in the USSR and the USA (Geneva). On November 25-27, 1980, as part of a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, he took part in Bulgaria in the celebration of the 1300th anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian state. From November 30 to December 12 of the same year, he led the pilgrimage group of representatives and students of the LDA on a trip to the Holy Land. On December 23, 1980, he was appointed a member of the Commission for organizing the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus d 1988. From August 16 to 26, 1981 - a participant in the 33rd meeting of the Central Committee of the WCC in Dresden. From August 31 to September 6, 1981, together with the Patriarch Pimen visited Finland. October 30-November 3, 1981 at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) took part in the meetings of the Preparatory Committee for the VI Assembly of the WCC. November 5-7, 1981 participated in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the National Council of Churches in the United States. On November 23-27, in Amsterdam (Netherlands), on behalf of Christians, the USSR was a member of the hearing group on nuclear disarmament. On January 3-16, 1982 in Lima (Peru) he took part in the meeting of the WCC Commission "Faith and Church Order". In the same year (July 19-28) he took part in the 34th meeting of the Central Committee of the WCC in Geneva. From September 28 to October 4, 1982 he was in Finland, and from October 25 to November 1 - in Japan. From July 24 to August 10, 1983 - a participant in the VI Assembly of the WCC in Vancouver (Canada), at which he was elected to the new composition of the Central Committee of the WCC. On November 26-27 of the same year, as part of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, he took part in the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the courtyard of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia. From 20 to 29 February 1984 he took part in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the WCC in Geneva. From May 31 to June 7, on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church, he participated in a meeting of the Mixed Theological Commission between Roman Catholic Church and Local Orthodox Churches, held on about. Crete. July 9-18, 1984 - participant of the meeting of the Central Committee of the WCC in Geneva. As part of a Soviet public delegation, he took part in an international conference of scientists and religious leaders from November 19 to 23, 1974 in Italy. December 26, 1984 appointed Archbishop of Smolensk and Vyazemsk. The transfer to Smolensk was a demotion for Archbishop Kirill and testified to disgrace on the part of the state supervising bodies ( "... There are various rumors about the reasons why he fell out of favor. Some associate this with his reformist activity in the field of worship: he not only practiced the use of the Russian language in divine services, but also served Vespers in the evening, and not in the morning, as this is still accepted in the ROC. Another reason for the removal of Vladyka Kirill from the "northern capital" of Russia is his refusal to vote against the resolution of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, which condemned the introduction of Soviet troops into Afghanistan. Meanwhile, he also did not vote "for", only "abstained", which, however, at that time was also almost a feat. "- Natalia Babasyan. Metropolitan Kirill's star // "Russian Journal", 04/01/1999). Kirill himself believes that he fell victim to the closed resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU on the fight against religiosity, adopted on the eve of the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus, for excessive activity as rector of the Theological Academy: during his rector's office, access was opened to LDA and C graduates of secular universities , and in 1978 - created regency department, to which women could apply. From June 2 to June 9, 1985, as part of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, he was at the VI All Christian Peace Congress in Prague. On November 30, 1988, Archbishop Kirill was entrusted with the development of the Regulations on Theological Schools - a new type of Orthodox two-year educational institutions that train clergy and are called upon to facilitate the solution of the personnel problem. By the decision of the Holy Synod of April 10-11, 1989, the archbishop title of Cyril was changed: instead of "Smolensk and Vyazemsky" - "Smolensk and Kaliningrad". Since November 14, 1989 - Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR) and a permanent member of the Holy Synod. This appointment actually testified to the removal of "state disgrace" from him. On February 20, 1990, after the liquidation of foreign Exarchates, Archbishop Kirill was entrusted with the temporary administration of the parishes of the Korsun (until 1993) and The Hague-Netherlands (until 1991) dioceses. In 1990 he was a member of the Commission of the Holy Synod for the preparation of the Local Council. March 20, 1990 appointed chairman of the Commission of the Holy Synod for the revival of religious and moral education and charity. May 8, 1990 became a member of the Synodal Bible Commission. On July 16, 1990, he was appointed a member of the Commission of the Holy Synod to assist efforts in overcoming the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. On October 27, 1990, he was appointed chairman of the Synodal Commission for the preparation of amendments to the Charter on the administration of the Russian Orthodox Church. Since July 20, 1990 - Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Finland. On February 25, 1991 he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan. In early 1993, with the sanction of Patriarch Alexy II, he entered the International Preparatory Committee for the convocation of the World Russian Council in Moscow (initiated by Igor Kolchenko's World Russian Congress, Alexei Podberezkin's RAU Corporation, Valery Ganichev's Roman Gazeta, as well as magazines "Our Contemporary" and "Moscow"). After becoming one of the five co-chairmen of the preparatory committee, he spent May 26-28, 1993 at the St. Daniel Monastery, the 1st World Russian Council. Since February 26, 1994 - Member of the Synodal Theological Commission. In February 1995, he headed the II World Russian Council. Shortly before that, President Yeltsin, during his conversation with Kirill in an informal setting, promised him to return the lands confiscated from her after the revolution to the Church, and then (under pressure Anatoly Chubais) took the promise back. At the Council, Kirill made a thinly veiled criticism of the authorities for their immoral and anti-national policies. The establishment of the "World Russian Council" was declared as a "permanent above-party forum" under the auspices of the Church, four co-chairmen of the Council were elected (Metropolitan Kirill, I. Kolchenko, V. Ganichev, Natalia Narochnitskaya). Under the influence of radicals ( Mikhail Astafiev , Ksenia Myalo, N. Narochnitskaya, I. Kolchenko) The Council adopted a number of purely political rather radical anti-Western declarations, the adoption of which the church hierarchs headed by Kirill did not interfere. In the interval between February and December 1995, Kirill tempered the opposition of the "above-party forum" he headed, and at the III World Russian Council in early December 1995 did not allow any harsh political statements to be adopted. The organization was renamed the World Russian People's Council, the head of which was unanimously elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II, and one of his deputies was Metropolitan Kirill. Since August 2, 1995 - Member of the Council for Interaction with Religious Associations under the President of the Russian Federation. In 1996 - a member of the Joint Commission of the Constantinople and Moscow Patriarchates on the "Estonian question". Since June 6, 1996 - Chairman of the working group of the Holy Synod on the development of a draft concept that reflects the general church view on issues of church-state relations and the problems of modern society as a whole. In 1996 he became a member of the board of directors of the Peresvet bank. In September 1996, the Moscow News newspaper (N34) published a report that the DECR, headed by Metropolitan Kirill, in 1994-96. organized in 1994-1996 the import of excisable goods (primarily cigarettes) bypassing customs duties, under the guise of humanitarian aid, in the amount of tens of millions of dollars and in the amount of tens of thousands of tons. The accusations were supported by other popular secular newspapers (in particular, Moskovsky Komsomolets, a journalist Sergey Bychkov). It is believed that the tacit initiator of these accusations was the then head of the MP, Archbishop of Solnechnogorsk. Sergiy (Fomin)... To investigate these messages, an intra-church commission was created, headed by the archbishop. Sergius (Fomin)... However, the position of Metropolitan Kirill, who denied the deliberate import of cigarettes into the country and said that the church could not refuse the gift imposed on it, was supported by the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1997. He took an active part in the preparation of the law "On freedom of conscience and on religious associations", approved by President Yeltsin on September 26, 1997. In March 2001, he came up with a proposal to transfer part of the income tax of Russians to the budget of religious organizations, including the Russian Orthodox Church. In May 2001, the journalist of "Moskovsky Komsomolets" Sergey Bychkov published an article "The Metropolitan from the Snuffbox", in which he repeated the previous accusations against Metropolitan Kirill about the import of tobacco, and also for the first time publicly identified Kirill with the WCC leader "Agent Mikhailov", mentioned in previously published materials of the Supreme Soviet Commission ("Yakunin-Ponomarev Commission ") on the links between the KGB and the Russian Orthodox Church during the Soviet era. On December 6, 2008, at an emergency meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in connection with the death of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Kirill was elected Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne by secret ballot. Supporter of active intervention of the Church in secular life and politics, including its influence on government from the position of "Priesthood above the Kingdom"

Since 1995, on Saturdays, he has been hosting the TV show "The Word of the Shepherd" on ORT.

Hobby - alpine skiing. Lives in the official residence of the DECR in Serebryany Bor (Moscow). In 2002 he bought a penthouse in the House on the Embankment overlooking the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (the apartment is registered to Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev, "what is the corresponding entry in the cadastral register"(The New Times. # 50, December 15, 2008). Appeared in the media "information about the purchase of a villa by the Metropolitan in Switzerland."(ibid.).

In August 1993, he was awarded the international Lovia Peace Prize, awarded to him by the Public Committee “Peace Forum of Loviisa” headed by Tellervo Koivisto, wife of the President of Finland (this prize is awarded every three years to a peacekeeping figure who has made a particularly significant contribution).

Decorated with the Church Orders of St. equalap. book Vladimir II degree, Venerable Sergius of Radonezh I and II degree, St. blgv. book Daniel of Moscow I degree, St. Innocent, Met. Moscow and Kolomna, II degree, St. Alexy of Moscow, II degree, orders of many Local Orthodox Churches; other church awards: commemorative panagia (1977), personalized panagia (1988). It has state awards: Order of Friendship of Peoples (1988, to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus), Order of Friendship (1996), "For Services to the Fatherland" III degree, medals "50 years of victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 "," 300 years of the Russian fleet "," In memory of the 850th anniversary of Moscow "; awarded the public order of St. George I degree (1998, from the Russian Chamber of Personality). Sources:
The official biography of Kirill on the website of the Russian Orthodox Church "Patriarchia.ru"; database "Prosopographer - face descriptor" materials by N. Mitrokhin in the database "Labyrinth"

Sergey Bychkov:
In 1992, the Bishops' Council formed its own commission, headed by Bishop Alexander of Kostroma and Galich. While the priest Gleb Yakunin and Lev Ponomarev, then deputies of the Supreme Soviet, were figuring out their nicknames and assignments, Vladyka Gundyaev ( nickname - agent Mikhailov) showed remarkable ingenuity and began to buy up archival documents. Having concentrated a powerful base of incriminating evidence, including on the patriarch, over the past 10 years he has deftly manipulated documents, shutting the mouths of overly zealous bishops. When the patriarch tries to reason with him, all of a sudden some papers appear in the media, tarnishing the reputation of His Holiness. Unfortunately, the work of the deputy commission ended in nothing. And the synodal one did not begin work at all.
http://www.mk.ru/blogs/idmk/2001/05/25/mk-daily/34819/

Mention of "agent Mikhailov" in the materials of the Yakunin-Ponomarev commission:
1973 year
January
l. 32. Agents of the KGB "Magister" and "Mikhailov"... These agents had a beneficial influence on the work of the Council and provided materials of operational interest about the situation in the WCC and characterizing the data on individual figures.
[...]
Deputy head of the 4th department of the 5th KGB Directorate under the USSR Council of Ministers, Lieutenant Colonel Fitsev.
NB:
the same material mentions "Mikhailov" as a Baptist:
Agent names of agents from among the Baptist leadership: "Mikhailov", "Abramov", "Fedorov", "Nevsky" "Kesarev". Mentions (albeit without a name) - according to Fr. Yakov Krotova- about Kirill Gundyaev in the book of memoirs about. Avgustina Nikitina: [Father Vitaly Borovoy about the denunciation of him in 1974]: "Oh, so this is Archpriest such and such, our secretary in Geneva hurried in advance and reported on me! After all, he was during this conversation. And, as always, he mixed everything up "(P. 170). [...]
“Fr. Vitaly recovered from the shocks, his health was noticeably shaken. Nevertheless, he“ sat out ”four chairmen in the DECR, and only under the fifth, in 1997, he became a freelance consultant to the DECR. [...] And the Geneva archpriest-secretary, who laid the father of the protopresbyter, still flashes on the "box" and teaches us pariotism from the screen.
Hush, hush, gentlemen!
Mr. Iscariot,
Patriot of patriots
Heading here! "
(S. 171-172).