Patriarch Alexy receives representatives of the G8 leaders

On 10 March 2006 in the Laura of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia received a group of personal representatives of the heads of G8 states that focuses on cooperation matters within this international structure.

His Holiness told the representatives about important role of the Laura of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius in life of our people and revival of the Russian Orthodox Church.

‘We are happy, His Holiness said, that leaders of the major countries of the world will meet in St.Petersburg. I hope that their meeting will be held in the spirit of mutual understanding and will help solve economic and social challenges facing humankind today’. His Holiness wished success to G8 summit organizers.

His Holiness spoke on the initiative of holding the World Summit of Religious Leaders early in July. ‘I believe, the Primate of the Russian Church said, that religious leaders of the world can and must contribute to reconciliation, dialogue of civilizations and mutual understanding among people’.

Among the participants also were Russian presidential representative Igor Shuvalov, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin and DECR assistant Rev. Georgy Ryabykh.

The guests attended the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, had a tour of the Laura of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius, and visited the Theological Academy where they met with its Rector Bishop Evgeny of Vereja1