Posted on 05/30/2006 8:03:17 AM PDT by x5452
29 May 2006, 15:27 Alexy II visit to Latvia is political signal - premier (updated)
Riga, May 29, Interfax - The visit to Latvia of Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II is a political signal, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis said after a Monday meeting with the patriarch in Riga.
"This is a very important political signal in relations between Latvia and Russia," he said.
Alexy II awarded the Order of St. Prince Daniil of Moscow, 2nd Degree, to Kalvitis.
Later in the day, he met with Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre and decorated her with the Order of St. Princess Olga, 2nd Degree.
About 2,000 people attended a liturgy led by the patriarch at the Riga Christmas Cathedral on Sunday.
"Your attendance of this service is a token of the unity of people in Latvia," the patriarch told President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.
Kalvitis and Udre also attended the service.
The liturgy was broadcast on large screens outside the cathedral and on national television channels.
The Latvian visit of the patriarch "is a big event for Orthodox people and the entire people of Latvia, because the Orthodox Church has promoted peace and accord," BNS quoted Vike-Freiberga.
The president decorated Alexy II with the top Latvian award, the Order of Three Stars, 1st Degree, on Saturday.
"Your efforts are breathing life into the church inside and outside Russia," Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga told the patriarch.
The patriarch decorated Vike-Freiberga with the Order of St. Princess Olga, 1st Degree, "for her accomplishments in the moral renaissance of the society and assistance to the Latvian Orthodox Church."
The patriarch thanked the Latvian leader for assisting in the reconstruction of the Christmas Cathedral in Riga, which housed a planetarium from 1963 through 1991.
Alexy II said he hoped his visit "will promote friendship between the peoples."
"This is a very important political signal in relations between Latvia and Russia," he said. "
How so?
Personally I think he was hamming it up, but the Latvia leadership did note how many folks came out to see him.
We Orthodox don't have a Pope, but certainly Alexy II is one of the patriarchs who draws attention in his decisions.
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