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His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia took part in the opening of the Days of Slavonic Literature and Culture on May 24, 2010, on Vasilievsky Slope near the Kremlin.

Patriarch Kirill addressed Patriarch Bartholomew and all the participants in the ceremony.

Patriarch Bartholomew in his speech stated:

Our Church enjoins us to begin every task together with God. So we began God’s cause by celebrating the Divine Liturgy this morning at the Church of Christ the Saviour. And now there is a magnificent view before us as we celebrate the Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture all together – the Church, the state and the people.

A message of greeting from Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was brought by the Presidential Administration deputy head A. Beglov. It stated in particular,

The celebrations in honour of the great enlighteners, the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius Equal-to-the-Apostles, have become a good tradition not only in Russia but also throughout the Slavic world. It shows a profound cultural kinship of our nations. And today, building on common historical and spiritual traditions, we develop partnership relations, cooperating with success in humanitarian and other spheres.

With every year this unique celebration uniting the efforts of the state, the Russian Orthodox Church and public organizations, is becoming more and more popular. In all regions of Russia there will be scores of concerts, exhibitions and conferences devoted to the Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture.

It is important that the geography of the celebrations and the themes of events should be broadened to involve more young people so that they may be introduced to the rich national heritage and educated for the care of the Russian language and literature.

Speeches were also made by the Federal Assembly speaker S. Mironov, Minister of Culture A. Avdeyev and Moscow Mayor Yu. Luzhkov. The speeches were followed by a festive concert.

DECR Communication Service