11 June 2004 04:45
Patriarch receives state order
MOSCOW. June 11 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday greeted Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
Alexy II on his 75th birthday and the 14th anniversary of his enthronement.
Putin and Alexy II met in the Kremlin shortly after the president returned from the U.S., where he attended the G8
summit.
Alexy II said he sees the state order as "the state's appreciation
of the contribution made by the Russian Orthodox Church to the
The president awarded the patriarch the state order For Services to the Fatherland for his contribution the
strengthening peace and accord between people and the restoration of Russia's historical and cultural heritage.
Before the award ceremony, Putin said Alexy II is someone who heads the Russian Orthodox Church "at a turning
point in the history of our country, who heads it at a difficult time, and for all these years has been bearing the
heavy cross of not only providing spiritual support to the people, but also reviving spirituality and strengthening our
country."
establishment of peace and mutual understanding between people."
The patriarch wished Putin God's help in his "heroic service to the Fatherland," adding that "it
is difficult to run a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country at this difficult time." [RU EEU EUROPE ASIA EMRG
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[Interfax] |
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