Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Patriarch Kirill on the 15th anniversary of his accession to the throne and met with him personally. This has been reported Web site Kremlin.
“These 15 years were marked by church-state relations at a very high level; Thanks to this, it was possible to achieve something that was impossible even to imagine in the past. <..> Most importantly, it is a very comprehensive work with young people and children; something that has been banned in our country for many years and is now actively developing,” the patriarch said at the meeting.
The patriarch also thanked the president for his support of the Orthodox population and the church as an institution.
Before that Patriarch Kirill statedHe prays that Putin will continue his work for the benefit of the Russian Federation. He made this statement at the meeting of the World Russian People’s Council (VRNS).
Putin before I congratulated Patriarch Kirill Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.