More Than 2,000 Worshippers Join a Procession of the Cross in Elista

On 10 September 2026, as Elista marked the 80th anniversary of the Appearance of Christ the Saviour, more than 2,000 worshippers took part in a procession of the Cross. The procession followed the Divine Liturgy at Kazan Cathedral.

Clergy, parishioners and invited guests walked together, carrying the icon of the Appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to Worshippers in the City of Elista at the heart of the procession.

The route began at Kazan Cathedral and continued along A. P. Khochinov Passage, Rodnikovy Lane and Sergius of Radonezh Street to the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross. The church is associated with the event of 11 September 1946 whose memory is preserved in Elista.

Archbishop Justinian of Elista and Kalmykia recalled the history of the icon. He explained that after the war Semyon Timofeyevich Bondarenko, one of the witnesses, found an artist who painted the image from his detailed account. The icon was brought to Elista in the spring of 1947.

The procession was also attended by Head of the Republic of Kalmykia Batu Khasikov, Governor of the Astrakhan Region Igor Babushkin, and Metropolitan Matthew of Pskov and Porkhov. Metropolitan Matthew read a message from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, describing the post-war miracle as a source of joy and consolation for the people.

The procession concluded at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, where the icon of the Appearance of Christ the Saviour was ceremonially brought inside.

Sources: the press release provided to the editorial team; original VKontakte post; official programme for the 80th anniversary of the Appearance of Christ the Saviour in Elista.