Vladimir Putin has congratulated Patriarch Kirill on the 17th anniversary of his enthronement

The Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church elected Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia on January 27, 2009, and on February 1 he was enthroned and elevated to the patriarchal throne. "You know, we have repeatedly referred to the role that the Russian Orthodox Church has played in the life of Russia throughout its history, in strengthening our people. But the patriarch also has many worldly concerns related to the management of such a large system, to put it bluntly," Putin began the conversation in the Patriarchal Chambers, traditionally handing the patriarch a bouquet of white roses.

The President drew attention to the fact that in addition to serving the Lord and the people, all this must be properly organized. "I would like to note just this organizational beginning after your enthronement, after you started managing not only the spiritual sphere, but also purely organizational issues," he added. According to Vladimir Putin, the life of the Russian Orthodox Church has changed: a lot has been done to strengthen parishes and organizational structures. "These are certainly your personal achievements. And this makes it possible to work effectively in the main sphere, the spiritual one. So thank you very much for this," the Russian leader addressed the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Kirill warmly thanked the President for this assessment. In his opinion, the image of church-state interaction that has developed with Putin's direct participation as president is a rather unique case in Christian history, especially in Russia. "Everything was fine and prosperous under the tsar-father, but the tsar was the head of the church, which means that the church was, strictly speaking, part of the state apparatus. Therefore, when the revolution took place, the tsar was deposed, which means that persecution was launched against the church. Then came the hardest years, which were accompanied by persecution of the church and repression. In the end, the Lord had mercy on the church and on our Orthodox people," said the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. He is convinced that the level of interaction between church and state that has developed in Russia is a very convincing evidence of the correctness of the state's policy towards the church, as well as its worthy position in society and providing spiritual support to the people. "This, of course, is your great merit. We all greatly appreciate the contribution that you have personally made to this area of church-state relations... May God help you to continue to work for the glory of the Fatherland and for the benefit of our people," Patriarch Kirill said.

In response, Vladimir Putin recalled that this process began under the first President of Russia Boris Yeltsin and Patriarch Alexy. "And you and I, by the strength of our strength and with the support of the Lord, continue this work," he added. "Absolutely true," the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia agreed.