MOSCOW, April 10 (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Kirill discussed problems in the relations between Belarus and Russia in Moscow on April 10. The meeting lasted over 3.5 hours. The President underlined that the sides touched upon a whole range of issues regarding the Orthodox Church and its relations with other religions. “We discussed issues related to our unity, the unity of Belarus and Russia first and foremost, the issues that are and are not being addressed,” the Belarusian head of state said. He added that the Patriarch knows Belarus very well, he visited many towns and villages, and this is why “it was easy for us to communicate.” Patriarch Kirill, in turn, noted that the conversation was very open, without artificial diplomacy. According to the Patriarch, it was important for him to know the opinion of the Belarusian President regarding the contacts with Russia, interfaith relations. The Patriarch told Alexander Lukashenko about the main areas of work of the Russian Orthodox Church, and relations between the church and state. According to the Patriarch, the sides discussed ways to improve relations between nations, first of all, fraternal peoples of the holy Rus – Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians. He added that the meeting helped him understand many things. After the meeting, the President of Belarus visited Epiphany Cathedral where he laid wreaths to the grave of the late Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Alexy II.

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