In his address to a reception in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour’s banquet hall, Vladimir Putin highlighted the tremendous role the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church was playing in reviving public morals and Russian religious traditions.
He gave Alexy II a gift, a precious chalice manufactured by craftsmen in the Urals.
Mr Putin’s congratulatory message to Patriarch Alexy II was as follows:
“Please allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude for the vast pastoral and educational work in which you are engaged as the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church in a problem-laden and truly decisive period in Russian history. Russia cannot attain might and affluence in the new century without its millennium-old religious traditions, and your contribution to their revival is inestimable.
“Your firm and well-considered stances on the most pressing issues in Russian and international life have earned you the profound respect of your fellow citizens. We highly appreciate your efforts to strengthen peace and public harmony.