​MAY GOD HELP FINDING SOLUTIONS THAT WOULD SATISFY CITIZENS OF BOTH DNIESTER RIVER SIDES – PATRIARCH KIRILL

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met Moldovan President Igor Dodon in Moscow on Thursday.

According to Moscow Patriarchy website, the Russian Patriarch expressed hope that a solution will be sought for settling the Transnistrian problem, which would satisfy citizens of both Dniester River sides.

“It is great that on both sides of the Dniester there is one Church of Moscow Patriarchate – the Moldovan Orthodox Church. This is a very important factor, which consolidates the society, the people. May the Lord help you seek such political schemes, which would satisfy aspirations of both sides of our Moldovan congregation”, the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church said.

He welcomed the initiative of Moldovan President to create a platform for national reconciliation, sharing his opinion that the single Orthodox Church and the faith may be one of the main factors, which contribute to country unification.

“Orthodoxy in Moldova is the basis of people’s unity. More than 90% of Moldovan citizens are Orthodox, which is the highest level of religiousness in the post-Soviet area”, the Patriarch concluded.

Dodon expressed confidence that this year a new stage on regaining the strategic partnership has started in Moldovan-Russian relations.

“I think that without the Orthodox faith, without our traditions, Moldova has no future. Moldova needs partnership with Russia for preserving and strengthening our Orthodox Church. Yes, we are facing now a very difficult period, but I am sure that with faith we will overcome all this. Since the meeting I had at the beginning of this year with Russian President, many positive changes occured in bilateral relations. This is felt by our citizens, simple people: there are concrete decisions on migration issues. This is also felt by our economic agents, because there are concrete decisions on exporting our goods. All this raises hopes that in the nearest time we will leave this difficult period behind”, the Moldovan leader said.

According to him, people in Moldova love the Russian Church head for attention to Orthodox live in Moldova, are watching his transmissions “Sunday preaching” on the Russian TV.

“They hope that soon you will find the possibility to come visit our country. You are awaited on both sides of the Dniester River”, Dodon said.

At the end of the meeting, Patriarch Kirill gave his blessing to the Moldovan President for building of a new Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh and implementation of the initiative on reconciliation between the two sides of Dniester.