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==Early career==
He took [[Monk|monastic vows]] [[April 3]], 1969, and April 7 of the same year was [[ordination|ordained ]] hierodeacon and [[June 1 ]] - [[hieromonk]].
In 1970 Kyrill completed a degree from the Leningrad Theological Academy, where he was retained as a professor of dogmatic theology and aid to the Academy's Inspector.
Since [[August 30]], 1970, he was a personal secretary to [[Metropolitan ]] [[Nikodim (RotovRotor) of Leningradand Novgorod|Nikodim (Rotov)]], Metroplitan of Leningrad.
On [[September 12]], 1971, he became [[archimandrite ]] and was posted as a representative of the ROC to the [[World Council of Churches]] (WCC) in [[w:Geneva|Geneva]].
On [[December 26]], 1974, he was appointed [[Rector ]] of the Leningrad Academy and Seminary.
In December 1975, he was appointed a member of the WCC Central Committee and Executive Committee.
==Episcopal career==
In 1976, Kyrill was consecrated [[Bishop ]] of [[w:Vyborg|Vyborg]]. In 1977, he became [[Archbishop]]. Since 1978, he has been the manager of the "Patriarch's parishes in [[w:Finland|Finland]]" (the name of the structures of the Russian Orthodox Church in Finland). In 1984, he became Archbishop of Smolensk and [[w:Vyazma|Vyazma]]. The title was changed to Archbishop of Smolensk and Kaliningrad in 1989. In 1991, he became Metropolitan.
In 1974-1984 he was the Rector of the Leningrad Spiritual Academy and Seminary.
In 1971 he was appointed representative of the Moscow Patriarchate at the [[World Council of Churches]] and has been actively involved in the ecumenical activity of the Russian Orthodox Church since then. In 1978, Kyrill was appointed Deputy Chairman, and in November 1989, Chairman of the External Church Relations Department of the Moscow Patriarchate and permanent member of the [[Holy Synod]]. He is known as active and efficient diplomat.
On 6th [[December6]], 2008, the day after the death of [[Alexei II (Ridiger) of Moscow|Patriarch Alexei II]] (1990-2008), the Holy Synod elected him ''Locum tenens'' of the Patriarchal throne.
On 9th [[December9]], 2008, during the funeral service for Patriarch Alexei II in the [[Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (Moscow)|Christ the Saviour Cathedral]], which was broadcast live by Russia's state TV channels, he was seen and reported to have fainted at one point.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE4B822020081209 Russians bid farewell to Patriarch at grand funeral, Reuters, December 9, 2008, accessed 2008-12-09]</ref>
On [[December 29]], 2008, when talking to journalists, he said he was "categorically opposed to any reforms" of a liturgical or doctrinal nature in the Church.<ref>[http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081229/119215944.html Russia's prospective church leader says opposed to reforms], RIA Novosti, December 29, 2008.</ref>
Since 1994 Kyrill has hosted a weekly Orthodox TV program on [[w:Channel One (Russia)|ORT/Channel One]].
