Patriarch Alexy meets British Ambassador to Russia Anthony Brenton

On 11 November 2005, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia received Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to Russia Anthony Brenton.

It is the first meeting between the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ambassador of Great Britain appointed about a year ago. During the meeting Patriarch Alexy II told Anthony Brenton about the history of the Russian Church in 20^th century and spiritual revival in modern Russia.

His Holiness paid special attention to the problems and limitations, which the priests had to face in atheistic state. Religious work outside the church was strictly limited.

‘The situation has changed, we face new great challenges ‘, the Patriarch noted. 6 800 Orthodox Churches worked in Russia before Celebrations of the Millennium of the Baptism of Russia in 1987, they numbered to 26 thousand last year. Only 18 monasteries and convents were opened in 1987, today they total to 680. ‘The churches are opened on the initiative of parishioners, people need it’, His Holiness underscored.

Charitable work and problems of drug addicts were also discussed at the meeting.