On 5th February His Holiness Patriarch Kirill officiated a Te-Deum service in the church of the Icon of Christ not-made-by-human-hands.
Moldovan sportsmen and sportswomen participated in the Divine Service, along with their Orthodox brothers and sisters from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Talking to the audience, the Hierarch mentioned: “My dear, I wanted very much to meet all of you here today – sportsmen from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, countries that are members of our HolyChurch. I am very happy that we all gathered here to pray for the success and well-being of all of you. Let us also pray to God that He grants you with strength, swiftness, and patience during difficult times of the competitions.
When you are at the start line, remind also of our words – concentrate to gain that inner power that will take you to victory. And now let us pray for the good and peace of our peoples and countries, for our brothers in faith and nation who participate in these Olympic Games”, concluded His Holiness Kirill.
After the service, the Primate blessed the Olympic teams and presented each sportsman and sportswoman with an icon of the Saviour.