Orthodox faith has important moral mission – Nazarbayev

Astana, May 29, Interfax – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev met on Tuesday with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who has arrived in Astana to attend the fourth Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

At the meeting, the president and Patriarch discussed a broad range of issues concerning the spiritual and cultural cooperation between the two countries, and considered the agenda of the upcoming forum, the Kazakh president’s press office said.

The Patriarch’s attendance of the Congress of the World and Traditional Religions increases the forum’s authority and importance as a unique dialogue platform, the Kazakh president said.

“The fact that you as an authoritative leader of the Orthodox Church arrived at the congress raises the level and significance of this forum. The high mission of the Orthodox faith to consolidate the traditional moral human and social values is extremely important for us,” Nazarbayev was quoted by his press office as saying.

Now it is important to preserve the traditional social foundations, the president also said. That is something that only the religions that have for centuries been strengthening the faith and spirituality of people are capable of.

For his part, Patriarch Kirill thanked the Kazakh president for the initiative to host the Congress of World Religions.

“This initiative will require significant administrative and diplomatic efforts and also a good will. And the fact that the forum is taking place on a regular basis in Kazakhstan is useful not just for your country. It is useful for other countries and religious organizations too,” the Patriarch said.

“We, the Russian Orthodox Church, are pleased to use the congress venue precisely for continuing our religious dialogue with many influential religious organizations. We do have a system of bilateral relations, but building a constant system of multilateral relationships is not something the Russian Church can do alone since it will require huge resources,” the Russian Patriarch said.

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