NNA - Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the importance and value of the wise speech of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, as it works to consolidate and strengthen Russian society, according to “Russia Today” new agency.

President Putin, congratulating the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia on his birthday, added: "Accept my heartfelt congratulations on your birthday. As pastor of the Russian Orthodox Church, you direct your efforts towards preserving traditional spiritual and moral values ​​in society, coordinating interreligious and interethnic relations, and improving cooperation between church and state. Your wise pastoral word works to unite the people and support people in difficult times of adversity.”

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