The two leaders visited the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral, attended a service, went to the Hermitage of All Saints, the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, and the Chapel of Royal Passion-bearers. Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko also visited Svetly Island and the Church of Grand Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles at St Vladimir scete. The two presidents examined an exposition at the monastery museum.
The meeting with the President of the Republic of Belarus was informal. Tomorrow in St Petersburg, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko will take part in the official events: hold talks and address the plenary session of the 6th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia.
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The Transfiguration of the Saviour Patriarchal Monastery on Valaam, a monument to Russian architecture, is visited by over 100,000 pilgrims each year. The monastery has metochions in Moscow, St Petersburg, Sortavala and Priozersk. Restoration of the monastery’s monuments continues.
The Valaam archipelago is located in the largest freshwater lake in Europe – Ladoga, about 40 kilometres from the nearest shore.