On October 25^th, Saratov saw a momentous event. Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' Kirill visited the city. He performed the lesser consecration of a church in the name of St. Cyril and Methodius, Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Saratov Region Governor V.V. Radaev, Chair of the State Duma Committee on agriculture N.V. Pankov, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Volga Federal Dicstrict M.V. Babich, SSU Rector A.N. Chumachenko, SSU President L.Yu. Kossovich, Rector Kirill Krasnoshekov and Saratov clergy met the Patriarch at the church gates.

During the service words of gratitude were said to benefactors, university administration, faculty members and students.

Metropolitan of Saratov and Volsk Longin welcomed the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church to Saratov land. “It’s a great honor for us to meet you and pray with you. Patriarch is a symbol of church unity and gracious father and we feel it in our everyday life”. The Metropolitan presented panagia and a copy of Image of Edessa. The original icon is at the St. Trinity Church.

SSU President L.Yu. Kossovich addressed the Patriarch and thanked him on behalf of the university staff and students. The President also spoke about university history and its 105^th anniversary. “Department of Orthodox theology opened in SSU in the first year of its foundation. St. Nicolas chapel worked in Saratov Imperial University”, mentioned L.Yu. Kossovich. He said that in 2004 the university opened a family chapel in the name of   Holy Royal Martyrs at bldg. VI. The foundation stone of a new church was laid in 2009. The University works closely with Saratov eparchy. Saratov State University hosts annual Pimen’s Readings and Days of Slavic Literature and Culture. Department of Theology and Religion Studies re-opened at the Faculty of Philosophy.

L.Yu. Kossovich presented a picture of the new church and 105^th Anniversary photo book to the Patriarch. 

Then Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' Kirill addressed the party. He’d heard about complicated history of the church construction and was very happy it’s been completed. “I hope the church would help the inquisitive and talented to comprehend the knowledge and spiritual values”, said the Patriarch.

His Holiness presented The Don Icon of the Mother of God to the church and his books to Regional Scientific Library. He awarded the medals of St. Macarius, the Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia, to SSU President L.Yu. Kossovich and SSU Rector A.N. Chumachenko. Associated Professor S.I. Nebaluev got the medal of the Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow.

Patriarch’s visit to Saratov State University is the most important cornerstone in its history.