You're reading: Patriarch Kirill starts trip to Kyiv to attend Chornobyl memorial campaign

Moscow, April 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will arrive in Kyiv on Monday for a three-day trip dated to the 25thanniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy.

Most events from the patriarch’s visit schedule will fall on April 26.

On the night of Tuesday, Patriarch Kirill will hold the service for the victims of the Chornobyl disaster in the church complex located in Darnytsia District of Kyiv. After the service, at 0123 (the time when an explosion occurred at the fourth power unit of the NPP) he will ring the Chornobyl bell. This will be the beginning for the memorial events in Ukraine.

The same day, Kirill will visit the St. Elijah Church, the only church operating in the Chornobyl exclusion zone. Patriarch will conduct Easter service, and the prayer for the dead at the Chornobyl power plant, visit the monument to Chornobyl heroes there.

On Tuesday, Kirill will meet with the patients and volunteers working with the patients of the National Cancer Hospital.

In addition, Patriarch will attend the opening of the conference dedicated to the understanding of the outcomes and lessons of the Chornobyl catastrophe.

On Wednesday morning, Patriarch Kirill will hold a divine liturgy at Kyiv Pecherska Lavra and return to Moscow.