Patriarch Alexy receives new Romanian ambassador to Moscow

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia met with the new Romanian ambassador to Moscow, C. M. Grigorie, on 3 June 2008 at his working residence in Chisty Lane.

Welcoming the ambassador, Patriarch Alexy expressed hope that his work in his new office would contribute to the development and deepening of relations between the two countries. In this connection, they noted a special importance of the Orthodox faith common to the two nations.

Mr. Grigorie thanked the patriarch for the high appreciation of his work in his previous office and pointed to the fact that he had happened to be ambassador to both Rome and ‘the New Rome’ – Constantinople (now Istanbul). ‘Now I am to represent the interests of my country in Moscow, the Third Rome’, he said.

Mr. Grigorie conveyed to Patriarch Alexy a personal message from the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church.