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Unity among Russians crucial for strong state - Patriarch Kirill

TYUMEN, June 21, 2/ITAR-TASS/. Unity among Russian people, not only inter-ethnic peace, is crucial for a strong state, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said.

“Russia can preserve our country only by ensuring inter-ethnic peace and understanding among all the people living in it. If a brother raises a hand against his brother, the country will face a catastrophe as vividly evidenced by our distant and recent history,” Kirill said at a meeting of the World Russian People’s Assembly in Tyumen on Saturday, June 21.

“If brothers raise a hand against each other and obediently follow external recommendations, death is inevitable,” he warned.

Krill believes that “the unity of Russia is the attractive strength of our state. The consolidating mission of the Russian Federation is a guarantee of inter-ethnic peace on the vast expanses of Eurasia”.

He named three conditions for a strong state. “There can be no inter-ethnic consolidation without unity and understanding among Russian people. Second, understanding between Russian people and the Russian state,” the patriarch said.

Kirill recalled that “the collapse occurred due to a conflict between the majority of Russian people and the state”.

“The third factor is unity between Russian people and other people living in our country. And all these three tasks must be pursued simultaneously,” he said.

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