Posted on 05/30/2006 8:06:26 AM PDT by x5452
30 May 2006, 13:13 Moscow Patriarchate official conveys greetings to Benedict XVI from Alexy II
Moscow, May 30, Interfax - A representative of the Russian Orthodox Church conveyed to Pope Benedict XVI greetings from Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.
The Rev. Igor Vyzhanov, Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR) secretary for inter-Christian relations, had a talk with the pope after the divine service celebrated by the pope in Krakow last Sunday during his visit to Poland.
The representative of the Russian Church was invited by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow, to take part in events held on the occasion of the papal visit.
‘Pope Benedict expressed thanks for this fraternal token of our presence at these events’, Father Igor said to Interfax on Tuesday.
During his talk with the pope, the priest from Russia noticed the religious enthusiasm radiated in Poland and expressed hope that ‘our two Churches will use these manifestations of faith to propagate Christianity in Europe and the world’.
After the solemn dinner held at the refectory of the Franciscan monastery in Krakow, Father Igor exchanged brief greetings with Polish President Leh Kacinski, who was also present at the dinner.
He also met with Cardinal Dziwisz. In their talk they stressed the need for cooperation between Christians in Poland and Russia in advocating Europe’s traditional religious values.
The DECR secretary also had a talk with Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. They discussed the present state of relations between the two Churches and prospects for their development.
On Sunday evening, the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church attended the farewell ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI who was leaving Krakow for Rome.
This is good!
WHY? The Russians do not need him...
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