Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin congratulated the head of the Russian Orthodox Church on his name day.
Putin visited Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Kirill at his chambers in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in the evening.
The patriarch celebrates the name day of Cyril and Methodius.
Putin presented white roses and an icon of Holy Cyril and Methodius to the patriarch. The icon is new, but executed in an ancient style.
"My cordial thanks," the patriarch said with a smile. "I'm pleased to meet with you on this day. Should we have some tea?"
However, the prime minister hesitated, lingering just long enough to present the patriarch with another gift – a government resolution on transferring some premises to the Russian Orthodox Church.
"For free," Putin said. "Unfortunately, many of them are half-ruined."
"That's fine," the patriarch replied. "We'll restore them little by little."
The patriarch and Putin then retired to his personal chambers for tea.
Larisa Kaftan