Vladimir Putin attended a liturgy in the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral at the Valaam Monastery served by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The President met with parishioners and congratulated them on the holiday. After the service, the President and the Patriarch walked around the cloister.
The Valaam Monastery is one of the most honoured monasteries in Russia, with over 200 brethren. Every year, more than 100,000 pilgrims and tourists visit the cloister.