Agence France Presse — English
April 7, 2007 Saturday 11:09 AM GMT
Correction Appended
Russia’s Orthodox patriarch sends Easter greetings to pope
The head of Russia’s Orthodox Church, Alexy II, put aside
long-running differences with the Roman Catholic Church to send
Easter greetings to Pope Benedict XVI, in a letter quoted by the
Interfax news agency Saturday.
"I … wish you blessed peace, good health and the Risen Saviour’s
help in your lofty service" on the "ever-joyful holiday of Easter,"
the patriarch said.
Alexy also congratulated Armenia’s Catholicos Garegin II and
Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who also celebrate Easter
this Sunday.
The patriarch had been locked in a bitter row with the Vatican over
alleged Roman Catholic proselytism in Russia and so-called Vatican
"expansionism" in this predominantly Orthodox country.
Catholics, numbering around 500,000 in Russia, represent a tiny
minority of Russia’s 145 million-strong population, most of whom will
celebrate Orthodox Easter on Sunday.