Tiraspol, 7 Nvovember. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill received Pridnestrovian President Yevgeny Shevchuk in his Moscow residence. The meeting was also attended by Archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubossary Savva, the president's press service reports.
Relevant aspects of the development of the Orthodox Church in Pridnestrovie were discussed during the meeting. «I would like to discuss with you some questions primarily concerning religious life in Pridnestrovie. The situation is difficult here. Thus, there is something to talk about," said the Russian patriarch.
President Yevgeny Shevchuk thanked Patriarch Kirill on behalf of all the people of Pridnestrovie for the attention paid to the Tiraspol and Dubossary diocese and the inhabitants of Pridnestrovie.
«Our people have really found themselves in a difficult situation. The economic situation is difficult. There is no stability in Moldova now, and unfortunately, there is war in Ukraine; there are problems with the transit of Pridnestrovian goods, which affects the economy and the socio-economic situation," said Shevchuk, adding: «It is important for any Orthodox [Christian] to have a spiritual core, so your attention to Pridnestrovie helps us to outlive these difficulties.
The patriarch recalled with warmth his visit to Pridnestrovie on 9 September 2013. The programme of the visit included visiting Noul Neamț Monastery in the village of Kitskany, Slobodzeya district, meeting Tiraspol residents, as well as public prayer in St Alexander Nevsky Church in Bendery.
«These vivid pictures are embedded in my memory, especially a divine service in Tiraspol's [central] square. When we were administering the service, there was a huge number of people. It was very moving to visit other places and churches, to meet people, to see the eyes of Pridnestrovians," said the patriarch.
The president, in turn, expressed gratitude to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church for visiting Pridnestrovie.
«Tens of thousands of our citizens had the opportunity to participate in a joint service, to see for the first time the patriarch on the Pridnestrovian soil. This is a historic event, and everyone warmly remembers it. We cooperate with the archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubossary and maintain churches to the best of our ability," said Yevgeny Shevchuk.
At the end of the meeting, he received the patriarchal benediction. The meeting lasted for more than an hour and was held in a warm and open atmosphere.
It should be noted that over the past five years the head of state has held three face-to-face meetings with the Russian patriarch.
