Patriarch Kirill thanks German authorities for support extended to Russian Church in the country

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia stands for systematical dialogue with Christians of Germany. "I believe that Christians of Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former Soviet Union should continue systematic dialogue with Christians of Germany. I would be happy if this dialogue focuses on concerns over preserving Christian values in culture of a modern person," Patriarch Kirill said at his meeting with German President Christian Wulff on Wednesday in Moscow.

He is convinced that existing level of mutual understanding between Russians and Germans would not exist if not for "fundamental solidarity" based on Christian traditions and culture.

The Primate reminded that the Russian Church has led the dialogue with the Evangelical Church in Germany from early 1950s and later it started dialogue with the country's Catholic Church and this interaction played "an important part in national reconciliation after war."

He said that, according to various data, 3,5-5 million Russian-speaking people live in Germany, there are two dioceses of the Russian Church, about 200 parishes, two monasteries, Sunday schools, many churches have groups of social support that help parishioners adapt: they get acquainted with German laws, help them learn German, provide legal aid to them.

Today the Moscow Patriarchate monastery is being set up in Berlin suburbs: it is called to be a center of spiritual dialogue between two nations. According to the Primate, the initiative is "welcomed both by German politicians and ordinary people who even started buying houses and land near the monastery."

Source: Interfax religion