Patriarch Kirill is embarking on a four-day stay to celebrate 300 years of the church in Britain, however, he is also expected to meet the Queen and Most Rev Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury.
Asked earlier this week whether the trip was an opportunity to build bridges with the Orthodox Church, the Church Estates Commissioner in the Commons Dame Caroline Spelman agreed.
She added: "The Archbishop of Canterbury believes that deeper relations between all Christian churches is a contribution to the peace we all desire in such turbulent times.
"This visit by the Russian Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' is an opportunity, not only to celebrate the 300 years of the Russian Orthodox worship in London, but no doubt to discuss current affairs."
Patriarch Kirill will attend the consecration of the refurbished Dormition Cathedral in Knightsbridge on Sunday, where the bells and an icon outside the church will also be blessed.
Meanwhile, foreign ministers from the US, Germany and French have been summoned to a meeting with foreign secretary Boris Johnson on Sunday.
He said on Thursday dialogue with Russia over the conflict in Syria had reached a dead end and "more kinetic options" needed to be explored.