Medvedev says Russian leadership treasuring dialogue with Church

MOSCOW, May 25 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's leadership praises dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church, President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday as he received the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Universe, Bartholomew I, and the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Kirill I, in the Grand Kremlin Palace.

"Many changes have taken place in Russia recently and I'm very glad you can get familiarized with their fruits in the country's life and in the dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state," Medvedev said. "The resolution of knotty problems our country and the whole world is faced with is possible only with the aid of this dialogue."

"That's why we praise constructive and full-fledged cooperation that has taken shape /in relations/ with the Russian Church," he said.

Medvedev called Bartholomew I's visit to Russia "a significant event."

He voiced the hope that the visit "facilitates the strengthening of the rapport that has always existed between the two sister Churches."


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Patriarch Bartholomew hails dialogue between church and state in Russia

Moscow, May 25, Interfax - Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople hails the Russian leadership's dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church.

"We, as the Mother Church, welcome prospering cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the State. The Russian leadership and the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church are writing a new chapter in history," Patriarch Bartholomew told President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow on Tuesday.

Dialogue between the church and state will help Russian society assert itself on the basis of traditional moral values and Christian ideals. "It is the best guarantee of the nation's future," he said.

Patriarch Bartholomew thanked President Medvedev for the invitation to visit the Kremlin. "We are happy to be here in Russia and we are glad that the visit coincides with the Days of Slavic Literature and Culture and with Patriarch Kirill's Name Day. We received Patriarch Kirill with great love and respect at our patriarchate last year," he said.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said in turn that Patriarch Bartholomew's arrival "is of great importance for bilateral relations."

"We, local Orthodox Churches, are part of one Church. There is only one Orthodox Church, but Orthodox believers in each country have their specific problems. Therefore, their leaders must meet more often and exchange their pastoral experience", he said.

"Also, there are common Orthodox problems, which we could not even start considering for decades. Bilateral relations between our Churches, exchanging visits, and good personal relationships between the Patriarchs, will help resolve these problems," Patriarch Kirill said.

"Besides official speeches which convey our positions to the world, we remain in the dialogue of love each day, exchange knowledge and emotions, and most important, pray together and conduct the divine service together. God is with us in that. We believe that God is leading our two Churches and all Orthodox Churches along the path that is in His hands," the Patriarch added.

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Patriarch Kirill and Patriarch Bartholomew celebrate festival services in the Holy Trinity - St. Sergius Laura

Sergiyev Posad, May 24, Interfax – Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople blessed those who came to the Holy Trinity - St. Sergius Laura on the Day of the Holy Trinity.

"Our will to unity really can make God extend His mercy to human race and turn away His righteous wrath from us," Patriarch Kirill said addressing to Patriarch Bartholomew, clerics and flock.

In his turn, the Constantinople Patriarch pointed out to the great deeds of the Laura founder St. Sergius and important role of Constantinople Patriarch Philopheus in establishing monastic life in the convent.

About three thousand people attended the Divine service in the Assumption Cathedral of the Holy Trinity - St. Sergius Laura. Many believers had birch branches and flowers in their hands in compliance with Russian tradition.

After the Liturgy, the Primates of the Russian and Constantinople Churches from the balcony of patriarchal residence blessed about 10 thousand people who came to the Laura square.

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=7288