At a meeting in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin also discussed with the Patriarch issues of providing aid to people who suffered in the earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia.
Everything is important here – the extent of aid, efficiency and effectiveness, Mr Putin said.
The President noted that rescuers from the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations were the first to arrive at the scene, and are still there. He also said that the state had passed a resolution to provide additional aid – both financial aid and supplies.