Putin praises Alexy II

Moscow, May 20 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin has highly praised Russian Patriarch Alexy II and the New York-based First Hierarch Metropolitan Laurus for making tangible contribution to the reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church, after a rift of about 90 years.

Alexy II and Metropolitan Laurus, who is the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), signed a historical agreement last Thursday, to reunite the two branches of Orthodox Church, in the presence of Putin, at Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

''Many participants in this meeting have gone through confrontation and mistrust between the churches. They have gone through bans and prosecutions for faith at home. But we all know that during those long decades of division the clergy of both separated parts of the Russian Orthodox Church were deeply concerned about the fate of our nation for which all of them prayed ardently,'' the Russian leader said at a reception for Alexy II and Laurus in the Kremlin, last night.

''This celebration has become possible due to their good will and sincere desire to reunite the Orthodox Church and thus revive it all of its worthy role, entirety and grandeur,'' he pointed out.

He said the reunification had occurred largely due to the continued efforts of Patriarch Alexy II who seventeen years ago after his election, initiated efforts aimed at overcoming the division and fostering dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

''We also give a due share of credit to Metropolitan Laurus for his relentless solicitude in this regard,'' he added.

''It is natural that this dialogue took place with full support of state authorities of the Russian Federation and by and large resulted from the assertion of constitutional principles of truly free religion in our society, from the revival and renovation of church life in Russia,'' he stressed.

Putin expressed the confidence that the ''unity of the church will give it more strength and double its efforts and concerns about the homeland.'' UNI XC SY KN1712