President of Russia Meets with the First Hierarch and Members of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and with the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA MEETS WITH THE FIRST HIERARCH AND MEMBERS OF THE SYNOD OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA AND WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE PATRIARCHAL PARISHES IN THE USA

On 24 September 2003 President Vladimir V.Putin of the Russian Federation met with the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Metropolitan Laurus of New York and Eastern America and the members of the Synod of Bishops in the premises of the RF General Consulate in New York. Metropolitan Laurus told the head of the Russian state about the life of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and its position on the restoration of community between the two parts of the Russian Church divided due to the political disorders of the last century. On behalf His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and on his own behalf the head of the Russian state invited Metropolitan Laurus and the hierarchs which accompanied him to visit Russia.

There also took place a working meeting of the President of Russia with Bishop Mercury of Zaraisk, administrator of the patriarchal parishes in the USA. His Grace Merkury informed the President about the successful restoration and reconstruction of St.Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York founded by Patriarch Tikhon more than a century ago. Next November will be held solemnly held a great consecration of the Cathedral after the restoration. Discussed were the problems of pastoral care for the Orthodox Russians, who live and work in the Unites States. A question was touched of the prospects and possible forms of the dialogue between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The President of Russia presented a shrine with the relics of the holy martyr Hilarion (Troitsky), a close associate and disciple of St.Tikhon, as a gift to the St.Nicholas Cathedral and to the Liaison Office of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA. Bishop Merkury presented Mr.Putin with an album with the photos, which show the process of restoration of the St.Nicholas Cathedral and its present magnificence.

That same day Minister of the RF Foreign Affairs Igor S.Ivanov visited the St.Nicholas Cathedral on the instruction of the President of Russia.