Patriarch Kirill's elder brother died at the age of 82

As reported on the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church, Nikolay Gundyayev died after a serious long illness.

During the Great Patriotic War, Nikolai Gundyayev lived in besieged Leningrad. In 1963 he graduated from the Leningrad Theological Seminary, in 1967 - from the Leningrad Theological Academy. Since 1975 he has been a professor at the Theological Academy.

From May 25, 1977 to March 2, 1986 - rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Leningrad. From March 15, 1986 to June 22, 1987 - rector of LDA. On June 23, 1987, he was again appointed rector of the Transfiguration Cathedral. In August 2014, Nikolay Gundyayev became the honorary rector of the cathedral.

The funeral service will take place on January 2, 2022. The funeral will take place at the Nikolskoye cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.