Kirill celebrates four years as patriarch, Kremlin calls for greater influence of the Church on society
Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Kremlin and the White House (the seat of the Russian government) have joined in praising the work of Kirill, on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of his election as Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. President Vladimir Putin, who met the church hierarchy in the Kremlin on February 1, has emphasized the need for the Church to be given more say on issues such as "support for families and motherhood", "the education of young people", the "social development" and "strengthening the patriotic spirit of the armed forces."
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of state atheism, the link between political and religious power in Russia has gone from strength to strength. In his third term as president, opened with the largest anti-government protests of the past 13 years, Putin has sought the growing support of the Church, considered by most Russians the most reliable institution of those that survived the USSR. The call for respect for traditional moral values and spirituality, which often borders on patriotism, are now part of everyday political discourse. In recent months there have been a succession of legislative initiatives inspired by the battles of the Patriarchate, such as the draft law on "respect for religious feelings" and the ban on "gay propaganda." Both criticized by organizations for the defence of human rights.
"At the heart of the victories of Russia and one of its goals - said Putin, in his meeting with Kirill - there are patriotism, faith and strength of spirit." The head of the Kremlin has also invited society to rid itself of a "crude and primitive" conception of secularism to give the Church, and other traditional religions, greater control over social issues. The same Kirill, in his speech, admitted that in the past four years, the dialogue between church and state has been strengthened and "helped to solve many of the problems" that presented themselves in society.
Prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, is of the same mind. He spoke of a "special relationship" between the political, the spiritual and society. "I hope that this relationship will strengthen and work for the good of our country," the prime minister said after a liturgy celebrated by Kirill at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.
The Patriarch then identified in the birth of a "new generation of bishops" - who have grown in number from 200 to 300 - one of the main goals of his four years of work. This growth is linked to the reform of the diocesan system developed by Kirill, which established 30 metropolitan provinces and nearly 90 new dioceses, ordaining 88 bishops.
His regin has also seen a significant boost to the pastoral activity inside and outside Russia. The head of the Orthodox Church has so far visited more than 100 dioceses including some more than once. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Japan, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus are just some of the foreign countries visited.
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