President Yushchenko meets Patriarch Kirill

President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko (R) and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia (Related pfoto)

President Viktor Yushchenko has met Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Kirill Monday. The meeting took place at the president's official house, Horodetsky House, the presidential press-service reported.

Ukraine, in Yushchenko's words, is expecting a lot of positive signals the orthodoxy needs from the visit of Patriarch Kirill. He also voiced hopes for continuation of a dialogue on the prospects of orthodoxy development in Ukraine the Ukrainian party appreciates.

According to the Head of State, in Ukraine orthodoxy has favorable conditions for development, which is proven by restoration and farming out of cathedrals, temples and other religious buildings to the Church.

The President expressed confidence that the state policy regarding the Church is correct, though the Ukrainian orthodoxy has some problems, namely the existence of four orthodox confessions.

For his part, the Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia, pointing out a historic role of Kyiv in developing orthodoxy, named Kyiv 'the Russian Jerusalem and Constantinople all in one'. Hence, the Patriarch sees his visit to Ukraine not just as pastoral, but as pilgrim.

After the meeting, the Ukrainian President and the Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia exchanged souvenirs.

UKRINFORM