President Putin thanks Israeli authorities for assistance in restoring historical rights of Russia for St. Sergius Metochion

In the course of his visit to the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the shrines and places of interest in the Holy Land. During the night of June 26, he visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and in the morning – the ancient Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem located atop the cave in which the Saviour was born.

On 25 June 2012, during his talk with the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Putin spoke of humanitarian cooperation between the two states. After the talks, he told the journalists that he appreciates the assistance of Israel in restoring historical rights of the Russian state to the St. Sergius Metochion, press office of the Russian President reports.