PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN HOSTED THE PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA, HIS HOLINESS KIRILL I
president.am
March 18 2010
Armenia
Today, President Serzh Sargsyan hosted the Patriarch of Moscow and All
Russia, His Holiness Kirill I and the Supreme Patriarch, Catholicos
of All Armenians His Holiness Garegin II.
Welcoming the visit of the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church to
Armenia, President Sargsyan said, "Russia is our strategic ally and
reliable partner and our relations develop accordingly: high-level
political dialogue goes on, issues – bilateral as well as regional –
are being discussed regularly."
Serzh Sargsyan also said that warm, friendly, and strong spiritual
ties of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church
are one of the cornerstones of the Armenian-Russian relations.
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness Kirill I thanked
the President of Armenia for the hospitality. He said that human
factor was also extremely important for the enhancement of bilateral
relations. According to the Patriarch, "political leaders communicate
on the level of political thought, entrepreneurs – on the level of
existing issues, while spiritual leaders communicate heart to heart,
and when the highest leadership becomes part of that communication,
dialogue between the peoples and the countries acquires a special
meaning."
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia highly praised the role of
the Armenian nation and the Armenian Church in the dissemination of
Christian values. He welcomed the presence of the Armenian Apostolic
Church in Russia and noted many Armenians live in Russia who are
actively involved in almost every area of public life.
The President of Armenia, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and
the Catholicos of All Armenians exchanged views on the role of Church
in spiritual education and tutoring of the society and spoke about
the deepening of the relations between the two sister-Churches. They
concurred that common spiritual and moral values bring the Armenian
and Russian peoples even closer together and create wide area for
cooperation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
