Ambassador of Cuba informs Patriarch Alexy on the building of Russian Orthodox church in Havana

On 24 January 2006, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia received Cuban Ambassador to the Russian Federation Jorge Marti Martinez in his working residence in the Chisty Lane.

His Holiness the Patriarch greeted the head of Cuban diplomatic representation and congratulated him on the New Year and wished him blessed success in his work.

His Holiness pointed out to the development of relations between the two countries and expressed an opinion that the building of a Russian Orthodox church in Havana was a sign of good relations between Russian and Cuban people.

Patriarch Alexy underscored special necessity of the church in Cuba as some 5 thousand Orthodox Russians live in the island including specialists working at joint ventures, staff members of the Embassy and their families.

J. Martinez conveyed the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church the greeting from the President of the Republic of Cuba Fidel Castro Ruz. The Cuban Ambassador told about the building of the Orthodox church in the most beautiful part of old Havana.

His Holiness thanked the government of the Cuban Republic for their decision to build a church that would become a spiritual center for all Russians residing in the country where they would find spiritual comfort, support in their work which they accomplish for the welfare of Cuba. ‘The Russian Orthodox Church unites Russians in different countries of the world and help them maintain bonds with their Motherland’, His Holiness said.

Jorge Marti Martinez appreciated the contribution of the Russian Church in finding new points of contacts between the two countries. The Russian Orthodox church in Havana will become a cultural phenomenon and a sign of friendship. ‘Russian and Cuban peoples are tied together with sincere friendship and there is nothing artificial in it. It is important that Russia becomes a powerful, stable and prospering state. Not only Russians, but Cubans and other nations of the world need it’, he said.