Greek Archbishop Hieronymos Meets With Russian Patriarch Kirill and President Putin

By Stella Tsolakidou on May 25, 2012 In News, Russia

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The Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos is paying an official visit to Russia on the invitation of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill. The Greek Orthodox primate also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

Putin thanked the Greek primate for visiting the country on the day marking the Name Day of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture, noting that the sermon of Saints Kirill and Methodius has a strong cultural tie between Greece and Russia.

“On this day, the spiritual roots that unite us are particularly vivid. I am certain that you will like Russia. We are very happy to see you,” said Putin as he welcomed the Greek Orthodox primate during his first official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church, according to the official website of Kremlin.

Among others, the Greek Archbishop referred to the Name Day of the Russian primate, while he also congratulated Vladimir Putin for his recent re-election and swearing-in as the new president of Russia.

According to the official transcription of the dialogue by the Kremlin, his Beatitude Hieronymos also commented on the historic ties connecting the people of the two countries through the centuries.

“As you already said, our people are linked by many centuries of history – these ties span over many centuries, even before the advent of Christianity in Russia, the colonization that Greek settlers brought to the territory of your nation. But most of all, we are united by the Orthodox faith. We would like to specifically emphasize this today, to ensure great relations between all our Orthodox people,” reported kremlin.ru