The head of the Russian Orthodox Church plans a live call-in TV show, much like Putin has staged 13 times since 2001

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, will for the first time ever hold a live televised call-in show, where he will answer questions submitted by the public. The event will take place on September 3 in Moscow during the Church's fifth convention on social services. The show will be broadcast on the Russian Orthodox TV channel Soyuz. 

The convention will focus on developing the Church's efforts to promote volunteering to help groups in need, such as the homeless, the disabled, orphans, the elderly, and poor families. Several local state officials, as well as some federal authorities, are expected to attend. 

The convention is taking place thanks to a grant from Russia's Ministry of Economic Development.

Vladimir Putin, both as president and prime minister, has held similar live call-in shows (televised on national networks) 13 times, since coming to the Kremlin. Since 2001, he has staged these question-and-answer events every year, except in 2004 (when he opted for a large press conference, instead) and 2012 (the year Putin returned to the presidency, after four years as prime minister).