A Russian Orthodox church to be constructed in the Ecuadorian capital

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has supported the idea to construct a Russian Orthodox church in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. He also expressed his wish to attend the church's consecration, the official site of the Moscow Patriarchate reports Tuesday.

Rafael Correa stated this at his meeting with Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations who headed the Russian delegation which visited Ecuador under the program of Russian Days in Latin America.

Metropolitan Kirill explained to Rafael Correa the basic principles of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church which include the views of the Moscow Patriarchate of international problems and economic relations. He also presented Rafael Correa a copy of the Holy "Reigning" Icon of the Mother of God and told him the story of its invention at the beginning of the 20th century.

As it became known, another Russian church will be put up in the other Latin American country, the capital of Venezuela Caracas. Metropolitan Kirill met with Venezuela President Hugo Chaves who offered his support in the construction of the church.

During his visit to Cuba on October 19, Metropolitan Kirill lead the opening and consecration ceremony of the Orthodox church in the honour of the Kazan Mother of God which was constructed in Havana.

Source: Interfax religion