Russian President Vladimir Putin Congratulates His Holiness Alexy on His Birthday

On 23 February 2005, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the Patriarchal Residence in the Chisty pereulok to congratulate the Patriarch of Moscow on his birthday personally.

Vladimir Putin presented His Holiness Patriarch Alexy with a bunch of white roses and wished him ‘all the best, good health, and cheerful mood’.

There was a conversation, in course of which the Head of the State pointed out to the great personal contribution of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy and the whole Church to keeping and reviving patriotic traditions of Russia.

President Vladimir Putin also said about the role of Russian Orthodoxy in the establishing and strengthening of the Russian state system.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church in his turn congratulated the President on the Defender of the Fatherland Day.

‘All of us remember that the Orthodox Church has always been a defender of Russia, – answered V. Putin. – Thus I heartily congratulate you on the double holiday’.