MOSCOW, 5 February (BelTA-ITAR-TASS) – Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill is expected to examine the Olympic facilities in the coastal cluster and to give a blessing to the teams of Belarus, Russia, Moldova and Ukraine on 5 February.

The Patriarch will lead an intercessory prayer service in the Church of the Savior’s Holy Image built recently in Sochi. He is set to meet with the volunteers from the Russian Orthodox Church who are working on Olympic venues, informed spokesman for the Patriarch Deacon Alexander Volkov.

According to him, the service will be attended by representatives of the sports delegations and chefs de mission of the CIS countries.

On 4 February the Patriarch visited the Olympic facilities in the mountain cluster.

“His Holiness attaches great importance to the development of sport and to the Olympics as sport helps strengthen the national identity of the Russians and promote a healthy lifestyle,” said the spokesman. He said that the head of the Russian Orthodox Church enjoys watching sports competitions, and places a great emphasis on physical education. His Holiness regularly makes long walks. He sticks to his routine even on visits to other eparchies,” said Deacon Alexander Volkov.

The Patriarch, who arrived in Sochi on the evening of 3 February, will complete the trip to Sochi at the end of the day on 5 February.