Georgian patriarch to tour Moscow, Kyiv, Minsk on Baptism of Rus anniversary
TBILISI. July 17 (Interfax) - Catholicos Patriarch Iliya II will visit Moscow, Kyiv and Minsk on the occasion of the anniversary of the Baptism of Rus on July 23-30.
On the occasion of this anniversary the capital cities of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus will host festivities that will be attended by Iliya II together with a delegation of the Georgian Patriarchate, Metropolitan Gerasim of Zugdidi and Tsaishi told the press on Wednesday.
He said the head of the Georgian church would meet the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill.
He said that at the meetings the sides will raise issues in relations between the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches, discuss the subject of Abkhazia and the return of the remains of Georgian tsars to Georgia.
It is so far not clear whether Iliya II will meet any representatives of the Russian leadership in Moscow.