Condolences on the passing of Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine 2014-07-05 13:40:00 Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and the diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the passing of the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine. The message reads, in part: “Being in high positions within the Russian Orthodox Church and as the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Vladimir was concerned about the spiritual health of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, worked to strengthen the foundations of Orthodoxy and the canonical unity of the Russian Orthodox Church. We will forever remember the many years of Metropolitan Vladimir’s hard work, his devoted pastorship, his great personal contribution to strengthening Russian-Ukrainian friendship and his talent as a preacher, which won him deep gratitude and respect on the part of the people of Russia and Ukraine.”