Patriarch of Russia will bless new Kyrgyz president
22/11/2011
BISHKEK, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) — Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will visit Kyrgyzstan to mark the 140th anniversary of the establishment of the Bishkek and Central Asian eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church.
“The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, is expected to pay a visit to Kyrgyzstan from Dec. 2 to Dec. 4,” Metropolitan Vikenty of Bishkek and Central Asia told reporters Tuesday.
The patriarch’s visit was initially set for Nov. 23, but “doctors recommended that he refrain from traveling due to illness, and he will come on Dec. 2,” Father Vikenty said.
During the visit in Bishkek, Patriarch Kirill plans to meet with President-elect Almazbek Atambayev, who will be sworn in as Kyrgyzstan’s president on Dec. 1, he said.
“What is important is that during his visit, the patriarch will meet with Kyrgyzstan’s new president and will bless him in his work for the benefit of Kyrgyzstan, for the benefit of peace and prosperity there,” Metropolitan Vikenty said.
Patriarch Kirill is also expected to visit Russia’s Kant airbase and attend a Dec. 4 ceremony to ordain Bishop Feodosy of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan, who was elected by the Holy Synod in October.
