PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA: CHRISTIAN ROOTS ARE THE STRONGEST

ArmInfo
2010-03-17 16:13:00

ArmInfo. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia visited the Russian
church in Yerevan on Wednesday and presented the church with an Icon
of the Russian Holy Virgin Mary of Kazan.

The Patriarch met with the Russian community in Armenia at the church
and called them to be active members of the Armenian society. "There
is a very big Armenian Diaspora in Russia and Armenians have fully
integrated into the Russian public life. I call all of you to live in
peace and never dispute for anything. There may be nation and language
peculiarities, but in the Orthodox Church we are a single family.

Christian roots are the strongest basis. Common Christian roots form
common system of values. When people live in the single system of
values they feel fraternity. The historical image of common residence
of the Russian and Armenian peoples testifies that it is first of
all the common Christian system of values that formed these good
relations," Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia said.

His Holiness Kirill granted a certificate and awarded the Order of St.

Seraphim of Sarov of 3rd Degree to Director General of the Electric
Networks of Armenia Yevgeny Gladounchik for contribution to development
of the Russian community. In addition, Patriarch Kirill awarded Russian
Consul General in Gyumri Vladimir Khrulev with Saint Prince Daniel
of Moscow Order of 3rd Degree, and Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan
with Order of Sergey Radonezhsky for restoration of the Memorial
"Honor Hill" in the area where 156 officers of the Russian soldiers
killed in the Russian-Turkish wars were buried.

For his part, Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II
gifted the Icon of the Holy Virgin Mary to the Russian church.