Topic of the day

Patriarch Kirill wishes Putin health, strength to fulfill presidential tasks

Moscow, May 7, Interfax - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia led a thanksgiving service to mark President Vladimir Putin's inauguration on Monday.

Following the presidential inauguration ceremony, Putin went to the Kremlin's Annunciation Cathedral, at the entrance to which the patriarch was waiting for him. They went into the church together.

The prayers contained a request the God give the president "strength and wisdom to rule the country, creating peace and well-being in it."

At the end of the service, Patriarch Kirill chanted a prayer traditionally used in this church service: "Make him wise and direct him to perform this great service without any impediments."

After this, the patriarch told Putin on behalf of clergy, monks, and believers that all these people supported Putin, seeing him as "not only as a leader who successfully rules the country, but also as a man faithful to the fatherland" and as a person "for whom the spiritual tradition is his own tradition, for whom the material and spiritual well-being of people is the goal of his presidential term."

The patriarch wished the president strength and health to fulfill all of the pledges he gave in his inauguration speech.

As a gift from members of the Russian Orthodox Church's Holy Synod, the patriarch presented Putin with the 18th-century icon of the Savior from the patriarch's sacristy. This icon reflects "the beautiful and spiritual tradition" of the Russian people, the patriarch said.

Before leaving the church, Putin venerated the church's icon of the Annunciation of Our Mother of God.

This is Patriarch Kirill's second church service on the occasion of a presidential inauguration. The tradition of holding a service "for the beginning of a good undertaking" was originated by the late Patriarch Alexy II, the predecessor of Patriarch Kirill, who performed thanksgiving services in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

This is Putin's fourth such service.


Photo by the press service of Patriarch Kirill

Print this page

Home

• Patriarch Alexy hopes for success of Putin’s plan 04 March 2008, 17:10
• Alexy II wishes Dmitry Medvedev success in shaping new Russia of the 3rd millennium 04 March 2008, 10:00
• Russia’s chief rabbi hopes new president will win global respect for Russia 03 March 2008, 16:46
• Russia’s Jews have never enjoyed such tranquility as recently - Berel Lazar 03 March 2008, 15:53
• Russia’s chief rabbi hails preliminary results of election 03 March 2008, 10:43
• Alexy II cast ballot at Russian presidential election 03 March 2008, 10:05
• Pre-election situation in Russia shouldn’t be criticized emotionally, Metropolitan Kirill 19 February 2008, 17:16
• The majority of Russians suppose new Russian president should prefer the Russian Orthodox Church to all religions - poll 17 January 2008, 15:02
• Putin: State will repay debt to Russian Orthodox Church, other denominations 14 January 2008, 11:13
• Russians should judge candidates by "achievements" - Alexy II 27 December 2007, 10:26
• Patriarch Alexy hopes for further partnership between Church and state under next Russia's president 13 December 2007, 15:31
• Patriarch Alexy II supports idea that Putin becomes PM under Medvedev as president 13 December 2007, 13:00
• Business in religious disguise acts in Nizhny Novgorod 12 December 2007, 15:19
• Berel Lazar considers Vladimir Putin the worthiest candidate for prime minister 11 December 2007, 17:55
• Growth of the welfare and religion tolerance in Russia is expected in the Council of Muftis if President Putin agreed to hold the position of Premier Minister 11 December 2007, 17:43
• Alexy II dismisses reproaches in the alleged merging of the Russian Church with the state 21 February 2006, 17:33
• Alexy II: Russian Orthodox Church doesn't seek official status 30 December 2005, 21:18

Other news