26 Oct 2017 22:17

Patriarch Kirill notes huge cooperation potential of Russian, Romanian churches

BUCHAREST. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has arrived in Romania to attend festivities on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the enthronement of Patriarch Daniel of Romania.

The Russian church leader was welcomed by Patriarch Daniel, Russian Ambassador to Romania Valery Kuzmin, and Romanian officials.

The Russian patriarch stepped out of the plane holding an ark with a piece of the holy remains of St. Seraphim of Sarov. The relic is a gift for the Romanian church.

"I have the honor of expressing my congratulations to my brother, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his becoming leader of the Romanian Orthodox Church," Patriarch Kirill told reporters.

"I am glad that in relation to these events I was able to bring along the holy remains of one of Russia's most revered saints, the venerable Seraphim of Sarov," Patriarch Kirill said.

He said that he was glad to set foot on Romanian land and that Orthodox Christian values are "one and the same for Russia, Romania" and other Christian Orthodox countries.

"However history evolves, we Orthodox Christians, living in different countries, must remember that we share common values, a system of coordinates, and that means we possess a huge potential to live in peace, love and cooperation," the Russian patriarch said.