A service in honor of the patroness of Yekaterinburg took place in the chapel on Labor Square.

      A prayer service in the chapel of St. Catherine, the heavenly patroness of the Ural capital, took place on Saturday morning, August 1, in Yekaterinburg, reports URALLIVE.

      The service was conducted by Metropolitan Evgeny of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye. He noted that each of the residents, Yekaterinburg citizens, carries the name of the holy great martyr Catherine.

      — I would like to wish that St. Catherine, whose name we bear, be for us not just a name, but a close person. And may our prayer be heard and accepted by her as a precious gift, — said Bishop Evgeny.

      Along with him, the head of Yekaterinburg Alexey Orlov, the commissioner for human rights in the Sverdlovsk region Tatyana Merzlyakova, and other honored guests prayed.

      After the prayer service, the metropolitan and the region's top officials remembered the founders of Yekaterinburg — Vasily Nikitich Tatischev and Wilhelm de Genin, writes URALLIVE.

      Flowers were laid at the monument to the "founding fathers" by Governor of Sverdlovsk Denis Pasler, Deputy Governor — Head of his office Sergey Nikонов, and Deputy Governor — Minister of Health Tatyana Savinova, together with Metropolitan Evgeny and Head of Yekaterinburg Alexey Orlov.

      Later, Metropolitan Evgeny congratulated the citizens of Yekaterinburg on City Day in Historical Square.

      — I came here to congratulate my city, where I live, where I serve, which I love on its birthday! — He addressed the townspeople from the stage. — The city is, in fact, very much like all of us.

      Bishop Evgeny noted that all people want to be happy and loved.

      — I want to wish all of you to be loved, happy Yekaterinburg citizens. And may our city be loved by you and bring happiness to all of you.

      It should be noted that in previous years, the historical emphasis in the celebration of City Day was placed on the founding of Yekaterinburg as an iron-making plant-fortress on the Iset River by statesmen Vasily Tatischev and Wilhelm Genin in 1723 by order of Emperor Peter I. It was named Yekaterinburg in honor of Peter I's wife, Empress Catherine I.

      The historical date of the founding of Yekaterinburg is November 18, 1723, but City Day has traditionally been celebrated on the third Saturday of August. In 2026, the date of the celebration was officially changed at the request of the church. Previously, City Day fell during the Assumption fast, which begins in mid-August.