On the eve of the feast day of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Metropolitan Kirill held an all-night vigil at the Nicholas Cathedral in Kazan.

      On the evening of May 21, 2026, on the eve of the feast of the transfer of the relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra in Lycia to Bari (1087), Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Nikolsky Cathedral in Kazan. His Eminence was assisted by the secretary of the Tatarstan Metropolis, Hieromonk Kirill (Korytko), the dean of the I Kazan district, Protopriest Vladimir Samoylenko, the rector of the parish, Protopriest Ioann Barsukov, the spiritual father of the Kazan Diocese, Protopriest Nikolai Timofeev, the rector of the John the Baptist Monastery in Kazan, Igumen Alexiy (Yatseiko), and the clergy of the parish. The hymns were performed by the archdiocesan mixed choir under the direction of Marina Litvinenko. During the service, parishioners of the Nikolsky Cathedral and other churches in the capital of Tatarstan prayed. After the reading of the Gospel during the polyelai, Protopriest Ioann Barsukov delivered a sermon. At the end of the service, a glorification was performed in honor of the venerated saint. Metropolitan Kirill congratulated the faithful on the feast of the patronal feast:

      "Most Reverend Fathers! Dear brothers and sisters! Father Ioann in his sermon has already reminded us of how we love this temple. Probably, there is not a single believing resident of Kazan who does not love to come here to pray for himself and his loved ones. For many decades, this place has been a source of God's grace, from here the preaching of Christ goes throughout our city. Many people have been baptized, married, prayed, confessed, and communed in the Nikolsky Cathedral. Many have departed into eternity from here.

      We feel the love of Saint Nicholas for all of us. We hope that the servant of God will continue to help everyone who turns to him with faith and love. In the troparion of today's feast, there are amazing words: '...as the unsetting sun shines with radiant rays, dispelling the darkness of temptations and troubles from those who cry out faithfully: save us, for you are our intercessor, great Nicholas.' Relying on the help of the great miracle worker, let us hope that the Lord will grant us His mercy all the days of our life. And if God allows us to live until next year, we will solemnly celebrate the 80th anniversary of the reopening of this temple.

      God save you for your prayers! Wishing you all the very best. Happy feast of Saint Nicholas!"

      The archpastor blessed the faithful.

      On May 22, on the feast of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, the head of the Tatarstan Metropolis will perform the rite of the Great Consecration of the Nikolsky Church in the village of Verkhny Uslon. After the consecration, Metropolitan Kirill will lead the Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church. The service begins at 9:00 AM. The address of the church is: Sovetskaya St., 28.