Patriarch Kirill lauds Putin for ‘enhancing Russia’s international authority’
CWN - October 12, 2011
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has lauded Vladimir Putin in a birthday greeting to the nation’s former president (2000-8), current prime minister (since 2008), and presidential candidate.
Praising Putin’s “integrity and intense love for the motherland,” Patriarch Kirill said that “God has bestowed on you the gift of doing numerous responsible jobs, including as Russia’s president and prime minister. I testify that largely thanks to your efforts was a tendency overcome that could have pushed our country toward a breakup.”
“As the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, I rejoice at the thought that in the current new relations between Church and state and with your direct participation, proper conditions have been created for further fruitful cooperation between Church, on the one hand, and the Russian government and many ministries and agencies, on the other.”
“Together we demonstrate the care for the moral health of the nation, for strengthening peace and public accord, and for enhancing Russia's international authority,” the patriarch added.
Patriarch Kirill’s remarks follow comments by a leading Russian Orthodox official, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, who last month signaled approval for President Dmitri Medvedev’s decision to nominate Putin to be his successor.
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