PATRIARCH KIRILL: ANTI-RUSSIAN SANCTIONS ILLEGAL AND UNJUST
During a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Patriarch of Moscow and all-Rus Kirill declared that anti-Russian sanctions are illegal, and they harm not only Russia but also the world economy as a whole, the Russian Orthodox church website reports on Friday.
"These sanctions are unjust and illegal; in my view, they only complicate the global economic situation, since they not only have the goal of constricting Russia's economic opportunities but also restrict its participation in the world economy. That means, not only Russia loses from these sanctions but also its partners abroad. We welcome your position, including on the issue of sanctions," the website quotes the patriarch's words.
He said, "there is no bad without good," since the introduction of sanctions permitted Russia to realize the necessity of relying on its own strengths and to develop its own industry and agriculture. The RPTs primate also thanked the head of Greek government for his solidarity with Russia.
In his turn, Tsipras acknowledged that close
relations between the peoples of Russia and Greece "have a basis
in their common spiritual traditions and common religious
convictions." "We share a common history and a common struggle,"
the Greek prime minister added. (tr. by PDS, posted 10 April 2015)
PATRIARCH KIRILL WARNS TSIPRAS AGAINST MISTAKES OF USSR ON PATH TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
He hopes for the Greek premier's participation in celebrations of 1,000 anniversary of Russians' presence on Mt. Athos
Interfax-Religiia, 10 April 2015
Patriarch of Moscow and all-Rus Kirill urged Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to develop the idea of social justice in his country anchored in spirituality.
"I very much hope that you and your government, in the interests of the welfare of the Greek people, will do everything while developing the idea of social justice to support and preserve the spiritual and moral foundations of your people," the patriarch said at a meeting with A. Tsipras in Moscow.
The primate noted that the USSR ignored "the very important factor, without which it is impossible to achieve any kind of social justice: this is the moral and spiritual foundation of the human individual."
"In no case should the mistake be repeated that was made in my motherland. The struggle for social justice should not be accompanied by the destruction of the spiritual and moral foundations of people's lives," he emphasized.
The patriarch pointed out that the idea of social justice is important for the church, declaring that it is impossible to achieve social justice by exclusively political and economic factors.
He also declared that Russia sincerely sympathizes with the Greek people in connection with their difficult economic situation. The patriarch said that Greeks pin on A. Tsipras their hope for assured development of the social sphere within the framework of a new economic strategy.
He noted that at the foundation of the world crisis "lies the sinfulness of humanity, the great moral problem, the inordinate thirst for enrichment by any means, the pursuit of material goods, getting money out of the air, and the separation of money and material benefit from labor and real values."
Along with this, Patriarch Kirill touched on the spiritual ties of Russia and Greece, in which a special role is played by Mt. Athos. "The Holy Mount is a special channel of communication between Russia and Greece. The Russia-Athos link always had a very important spiritual and cultural dimension. In 2016 we will celebrate the millennium of the presence of Russians on Athos. And the chief celebration is planned for 20 to 22 May 2016," he reported, expressing the hope that A. Tsipras will participate in these celebrations. (tr by PDS, posted 11 April 2015)
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