MOSCOW, February 1 (Itar-Tass) — President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on the 3rd anniversary of the enthronement.
Medvedev thanked the patriarch for relationship between the state and the Church reached a new level.
The president and his wife, Svetlana, arrived in St Daniel Monastery on Wednesday to personally congratulate the patriarch on the anniversary of his enthronement.
During the meeting, Medvedev said, “Time is going quickly. Three years have passed. You’ve done much for the development of the Russian Orthodox Church and strengthening of Orthodox relationship.” “You succeeded in bringing relationship between the state and the Church to a new level. I’m very pleased with this fact,” the president said.
He wished strong health to the patriarch. “I know how many forces you need to carry out public and international activities.” “We will hope that the year will be marked by promoting a dialogue between the state and the Church at all levels,” the president added.
For his part, the patriarch said he is hopeful that no political events would hamper progress in relationship between the Church and the state.
“The level of our relationship proves that the key problem – the restriction of freedoms, the suppression of real people’s rights to believe, pray and live with conscience – has been solved,” Patriarch Kirill said. “Now our relationship has no problem, which would affect human rights, people’s dignity, and their capability to decide on their faith themselves.”
By having thanked the Russian president for the contribution to relationship between the Church and the state, His Holiness said, “I’m very hopeful that no political disturbances in Russia would prevent the progress, which has been achieved these years. It will only gain momentum.”