Priest of Vladikavkaz and Alania Eparchy, Sergey Kokoev

Russian Orthodox Church recognizes Tskhinvali Region as Georgian Orthodox Church canonical territory, however, despite the recognition, several churches have been built with their support in Tskhinvali Region after the war of 2008. In 2018, Holy Trinity Chapel started functioning in Tskhinvali, where Sergyi Kokoev, the priest of Vladikavkaz and Alania Eparchies of Russian Orthodox Church, is serving.

General Biographical Information

• Sergyi Kokoev, in his civilian life – Sergey Kokoev, was born on June 26, 1977 in Tskhinvali, Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia, SSR of Georgia, Soviet Union.
• From 1994 to 2007, he served at Armed Forces of so-called South Ossetia. During the military service he was a member of boxers team of Russian Armed Forces. Kokoev is the winner of the Russian Armed Forces Championship and the owner of the first-place prize among the Russian youth. He participated in the tournament held in USA. He quitted boxing due to his health condition.
• In 2004 he graduated from the State University of so-called South Ossetia, faculty of History.
• Kokoev participated in combat operations in Tskhinvali Region, and in the war of August 2008 got wounded. He has been awarded with Orders of “Uatsamonga“, „Homeland Defender“ and Medal of “For Enforcing Peace“.
• Kokoev is the Major of reserve.
• He has wife and three children.

Professional Career

• In 2004 he became de facto MP of Tskhinvali Region.
• From 2004 to 2008 participated in guarding de facto border of Tskhinvali Region.
• From 2007 to 2012 he was in security service of de facto President of Tskhinvali Region.
• From 2010 he is the President of public foundation "Revival of Orthodoxy in South Ossetia". The foundation was responsible for Holy Trinity Chapel project development and construction in Tskhinvali Region.

Clerical Career

• On July 12, 2013, at St George Cathedral Church in Vladikavkaz, Vladikavkaz and Alania Archbishop Zosime ordained him as a deacon and on November 23, 2013 - as a presbyter.
• From 2014 Sergyi Kokoev, as priest of Vladikavkaz and Alania Eparchy serves in Tskhinvali Region.
• From 2018 he serves at Holy Trinity Chapel in Tskhinvali under the Russian Orthodox Church control. During the construction of Holy Trinity Chapel Sergiy Kokoev served at St. John the Baptist Chapel (in Tskhinvali) of the Russian Orthodox Church.
• On December 11, 2019, Anatoly Bibilov, de facto president of the Tskhinvali Region, handed over parts of the Holy Martyr John the Warrior and part of the Holy Cross to Sergey Kokoev. Bibilov received the relics from Russian benefactor Yuri Khomiakov during his visit in Moscow.
• On January 6-7, 2020, Sergey Kokoev performed the Christmas service at the Holy Trinity Church. Anatoly Bibilov, the de facto president of the Tskhinvali region, also attended the service. He congratulated the Orthodox population of Tskhinvali on Christmas.
• On January 19, 2020, at the Holy Trinity Church, Sergey Kokoev performed a solemn service on the Epiphany. The service was attended by the de facto president of the Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov, and his daughter. He congratulated the Orthodox population of the Tskhinvali region on the Epiphany. He also attended a mass baptism held on this holiday on the shores of  the Little Liakhvi River.
• On February 21, 2020, Sergey Kokoev blessed the special forces of the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region, which "made a serious contribution in repelling Georgian aggression against South Ossetia and protecting the national interests of the republic." Anatoly Bibilov, the de facto president of the Tskhinvali region, also attended the ceremony. He handed over a battle flag to the members of the squad for their bravery and heroism.
• On January 7, 2021, Sergey Kokoev conducted a Christmas service at the Holy Trinity Church of the Russian Orthodox Church in Tskhinvali. Anatoly Bibilov, the de facto president of the Tskhinvali region, also attended the service. At the end of the liturgy, Sergey Kokoev read out congratulatory message of the Archbishop Leonid of Vladikavkaz and Alanya.
• On January 19, 2021, Sergey Kokoev conducted a service on the feast of the Epiphany in the Holy Trinity Church in Tskhinvali. The de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov, also attended the Divine Liturgy. Sergey Kokoev performed the rite of consecration of water in the Little Liakhvi River in the village of Dmenisi. Bibilov also took part in a symbolic ritual of ablution. 

Holy Trinity Church in Tskhinvali

After the war of 2008 between Russia and Georgia, Dmitry Medvedev, the President of the Russian Federation, promised Tskhinvali Region population to build a chapel. Construction expenses were covered by the foundation of St. Andrew the First-Called. The chapel height is 23.8 m, total space – 638 sq/m. Construction of the Byzantine style chapel was completed in January 2018. Holy Trinity Chapel is under the Russian Orthodox Church control.

From 2014 till the chapel full functioning number of meetings were held:

• On September 10, 2014, preliminary agreement on orthodox chapel construction in Tskhinvali was reached at the meeting between Leonid Tibilov, de facto President of Tskhinvali Region and the Patriarch of Russia, Kiril.
• On April 30, 2015, in Tskhinvali, Tskhinvali Region Representatives (Merab Zaseev, de facto State Advisor to the President, Sonia Khubaeva de facto Trustee to the President in the field of Religion, and Taimuraz Jijoev, de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs) met with the delegation of Vladikavkaz and Alania Eparchy. At the meeting was discussed construction of the chapel of Russian Orthodox Church and spiritual-educational complex in Tskhinvali, as well as the possibility of conducting liturgy in the populated areas of the region by the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.
• In May 2015, in Tskhinvali, land adjacent to the Republic Library territory was allocated for the chapel construction.
• On July 2, 2015, Tibilov and Archbishop  of Vladikavkaz and Alania Eparchy, Zosime, discussed construction of Russian Orthodox Church in Tskhinvali.
• In August of 2015, construction of Holy Trinity Church was started.
• In July of 2016, Tibilov and Archbishop of Vladikavkaz and Alania, Leonid, discussed legal issues related to the chapel construction.
• On February 27, 2018, Anatoly Bibilov, de facto President and Archbishop of Vladikavkaz and Alania, Leonid, meeting was held in Tskhinvali. At the meeting was discussed the issue of orthodoxy promotion in Tskhinvali Region. Sergyi Kokoev also participated in the meeting.
• The Holy Trinity Chapel was opened in July, 2018.
• On October 4, 2018, Igor Koshin , Deputy Minister of North Caucasus Affairs of Russia, together with Erik Pukhayev, de facto Prime Minister, visited the chapel that was being painted at that time. The chapel paintings were performed by Russian artists led by Oleg Shurkus. The group comprised of 12 icon painters. Shurkus Icon Painting Studio exists from 1996. On October 16, 2018, crosses were raised on the chapel bell tower and dome.
• Anatoly Bibilov attends liturgies being performed at the Holy Trinity Chapel since 2018. For example, on January 19, 2019, Bibilov attended Epiphany and Easter on April 28, 2019 as well.