His Holiness Patriarch Alexy meets with President Vladimir Putin
12.11.2003 · English, Архив 2003
HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY MEETS WITH PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN
His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia met on October 15, 2003, with President Vladimir Putin, at the presidential residence in Novo-Ogarevo.
The Russian president congratulated His Holiness the Patriarch on the Feast of the Protecting Veil of the Most Holy Mother of God which was celebrated the day before.
Vladimir Putin spoke with gratitude about the support that the Russian Orthodox Church gave to the state’s initiative for Russia’s joining the Organization of Islamic Conference as an observer. An OIC summit is to take place on October 16-17 in Malaysia and the Russian president will attend it for the first time as a guest.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church thanked the head of state for the congratulations on the feast day. His Holiness told the president that on the Day of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God he participated in the commencement day at the Moscow Theological Academy, whose church is dedicated to this feast.
Speaking about the participation of Russia in the work of the Organizations of Islamic Conference, His Holiness emphasized that the Russian Orthodox Church seeks to maintain good relations with other religions and reminded that he meets with Islamic community leaders in the country on a regular basis.
They also discussed the visit made by His Holiness Alexy II to Estonia. His Holiness thanked the Russian president for the assistance that was given through the Ministry of Foreign Affair in arranging that visit. The Patriarch noted the warm welcome given to him by Estonian governmental officials including the Estonian President Arnold Ruutel with whom the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church had established good relations as far back as when Mr. Ruutel was Chairman of the Estonian Supreme Soviet.
Vladimir Putin told His Holiness Patriarch Alexy about his meeting in New York with the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, Metropolitan Laurus of New York and Eastern America, noting that the meeting was a positive one. On behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and on his own behalf, the head of the Russian State invited Metropolitan Laurus to come to Russia for a visit.
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