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Patriarch Kirill considers Orthodox believer public activity integrated act of faith

MOSCOW, December 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia considers the activity of Orthodox believers in public life an integrated act of faith.

“The Church’s presence in public life is a reality, which is conditioned by its nature. Prayers, sacraments and fellowship of the Lord should lead to the service for the sake of fellow creatures and take responsibility for the Church, for human minds and hearts, and for the society as a whole,” Patriarch Kirill said.

“Our society lacks culture of civil activity and the ability to achieve good goals in the course of peaceful and legitimate interaction with the state,” the Russian patriarch said, adding “I’m sure that Orthodox believers are designed to serve an example of quiet and respectful efforts to protect their interests.”

“Old-dated problems, such as high tariffs on housing utilities, difficult movement over the city, corruption, non-residents’ attempts to impose improper stereotypes on the Muscovites should be solved in a constructive dialogue between the society and power,” he said.

“Orthodox believers should show an example of such dialogue by keeping fidelity to the ideals of peace and justice,” Patriarch Kirill added.

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