On July 2 His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia visited the National Law Academy of Odessa. At the entrance to administrative block of the academy he was met by president of the educational establishment C.V.Kivalov, teachers and students, parishioners of the students’ church. His Holiness the Patriarch was offered bread and salt.
In the study of the president of the Acacdemy His Holiness Patriarch Kirill had a brief talk with S.V.Kivalov, upon completion of which His Holiness signed the book of honored guests.
His Holiness the Patriarch familiarized himself with the history of the National Law Academy of Odessa, looked over the institute’s premises, and listened to the story of creation of the first in Ukraine students’ church of the Holy Martyr Tatiana. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church was accompanied by Metropolitan Agathangel of Odessa and Izmail and Vicar Bishop of the Diocese of Odessa, His Grace Alexiy of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyy.
Then the solemn session of the Academic Council of the National Law Academy of Odessa was conducted, dedicated to conferment of the doctorate degree ‘honoris causa’ on His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, “for years-long pastoral work on forming the ethical principles of the Slavonic nations, triumph of symphony in the Church-state relations”. President of the Academy S.V.Kivalov read the inauguration address and passed to His Holiness the distinction of the Honorary Doctor of the Odessa National Law Academy, the certificate, the diploma and the doctoral robe.
His Holiness delivered a doctoral speech to the session participants.
On behalf of the administration, teachers and students of the education establishment His Holiness Patriarch Kirill was offered a memorable gift - a tabernacle, representing a miniature copy of the students’ St Tatiana Church.
S.V.Kivalov noted that it is a great honor for the Odessa National Law Academy to receive His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. “For our collective this event is truly historical. I think that for many years it will warm up the soul and heart of everyone present here”, he said.
Upon completion of the solemn meeting His Holiness together with Metropolitan Agathangel of Odessa and Izmail, Bishop Alexiy of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, president of the Academy S.Kivalov, and members of the Academic Council called to St Tatiana Church.
Memorable photo was taken on the steps of the church.
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