The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije, who is visiting Moscow, spoke today with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Serbian Orthodox Church announced.
Serbian Patriarch Porfiry and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia were received today by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Serbian Orthodox Church reports Russian media.
Putin, as reported by TASS, welcomed the Serbian Patriarch and said that the Serbian Orthodox Church makes a significant contribution to strengthening the traditionally warm and close relations between the two peoples, and said that he expects Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to attend the ceremonial events in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
"We are always glad to see you. We expect the President of Serbia on May 9 in Moscow at a ceremony dedicated to the victory in the Great Patriotic War," Putin said during a meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Patriarch Porfiry of Serbia.
The meeting was also attended by Metropolitan Irinej of Bačka and Metropolitan Antonije of Volokolamsk, President of the Department for External Church Relations.
Previously, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation, and Patriarch Kirill met at the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church and the official residence of the patriarch, Danilov Monastery in Moscow.
During the meeting with the Serbian Patriarch, Patriarch Kirill said that the two peoples are not only close in language, culture and history, but also in the relations between the two churches.
Patriarch Porfirije has been with the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation on a multi-day visit to Moscow since last night.
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