Patriarch Kirill spoke with Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) via a video link Scientific knowledge should go hand-in-hand with religious faith for humankind to avoid a potential catastrophe, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has said while speaking to the Russian cosmonauts working at the International Space Station (ISS). The Patriarch delivered his address to the cosmonauts via video link on Sunday as Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter.