Russian Orthodox patriarch visits with penguins in Antarctica

BELLINGHAUSEN STATION, Russia, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The head of the Russian Orthodox church took time to walk with penguins during a visit to the only permanent church in Antarctica.

The church shared video on its official YouTube page of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill visiting with penguins Wednesday during his visit to Russia's Bellinghausen Station on King George Island, also known as Waterloo Island.

The video shows the leader taking a boat ride to a penguin colony and walking among the flightless birds. He is even approached by one curious penguin.

Kirill also prayed at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Antarctica's only permanent church, during his visit to the continent.