Vladimir Putin | Athos Pilgrimage
Greetings following a prayer service at the Assumption Cathedral
In Karyes, the administrative centre of Mount Athos, Vladimir Putin attended a prayer service in the Assumption Cathedral with Protoepistat Paul and the brethren and addressed those present following the prayer service.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: «I would like to thank the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church, for all your efforts to maintain relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Russian people and Russia.
I would like to thank the brethren of Mount Athos for their warm welcome. It is my second visit here, and I feel particular warmth and kindness, and the best of attitudes not only towards me as the leader of Russia but towards the people of Russia as a whole.
Mount Athos is responsible for a very important feat which is essential for the global Orthodox community. This feat is related to the preservation of the moral foundations of our society. To a great extent, you are a source of this goodness and grace.
Thank you very much. I wish you all the best.»
Speech at a meeting with the Holy Kinot
Later the President of Russia met with members of the Holy Kinot. In his speech, Vladimir Putin emphasised the exceptional role of Mount Athos in preserving the traditions of Russian Orthodoxy. The meeting was also attended by President of Greece Prokopios Pavlopoulos.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: «Mr President, your Reverences, fathers,
I am happy to visit Mount Athos again. According to the Orthodox tradition, it is the earthly domain of the Mother of God, so everyone who steps on this sacred soil doubtlessly experiences special feelings.
The President [of Greece Prokopios Pavlopoulos] has said that Mount Athos is a unique centre of Orthodoxy and Christianity. For more than a thousand years, it has been carefully preserving and enriching spiritual traditions and our common values. I fully agree that the role played by Mount Athos is crucial at a time when Orthodoxy is growing stronger in Russia and other countries where it is practised. Orthodoxy is gaining ground and is helping a great number of people, including Russians, find inner strength.
The first written account of Russians on Mount Athos dates back a thousand years, which underscores the importance of this place for modern Russia. For centuries, Orthodox believers from our country have drawn spiritual strength and knowledge from here.
As we revive patriotic values, historical memory and traditional culture, we count on building a stronger relationship with Mount Athos. I am happy to note that each year more pilgrims are coming here from Russia, over 11,000 every year. I want to thank you for your warm hospitality towards our compatriots.
The relics that are brought to Russia for worship are an important testament to the deepening ties between Russia and Mount Athos. They include the Cincture of the Theotokos from the Vatopedi Monastery and the Holy Right Hand Remains of St George from the Xenophontos Monastery, which have been venerated by hundreds of thousands of Russian Orthodox believers. I want to thank you especially for this. I hope that this lofty and noble mission of the Athonite monasteries will continue.
In 2016, we are holding the reciprocal Year of Culture between Russia and Greece. For centuries our people have been united by a common faith and mutual affection, which, as has already been mentioned, have helped our peoples overcome difficulties and end up victorious. This was true during the liberation of the Balkans and at other stages of world history. Today’s generation fully shares these deep mutual feelings.
I am confident that Russia’s ties with Mount Athos and Greece as a whole will continue to strengthen, and spiritual kinship and trust will continue to set the tone of our traditionally close and friendly relations.
Christ has risen.»
Vladimir Putin visited Rossikon – the Saint Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos
Later, Vladimir Putin visited Rossikon – the Saint Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos. After the prayer service attended among others by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Russian leader thanked Archimandrite Jeremiah and the brethren of the monastery for the hospitality and geniality extended to our compatriots. It is important to continue doing everything to ensure this little corner of Russia on Mount Athos continues to consolidate the spirit of all Orthodox believers, the President stressed.
Speech following a prayer service at Saint Panteleimon Monastery
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: «Your Holiness, Reverend fathers, Father Jeremiah, fathers and brethren,
I am glad to have this opportunity to once again visit the Russian St Panteleimon Monastery. It had a lofty spiritual mission historically, and continues to perform it today, being cherished by Orthodox believers from Russia and other countries for that reason.
Unlike the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, I didn't come here 40 years ago, but I did come here in 2005 and I can say today that the changes are unbelievable, wonderful.
It was with great honour that I accepted your invitation to attend the 1,000th anniversary of the first written account of Russian monks on Mount Athos.
I want to stress once again that the anniversary preparations have been laborious. Events to mark this day are taking place in a coordinated fashion in Russia, Greece and on Mount Athos, and we are to thank both the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Church of Greece for this.
I want to highlight that Russia and Mount Athos have long shared close religious ties. The traditions of Mount Athos have played an important role in the life of Russians.
Today, Russia’s interest in Mount Athos remains strong. Recently, the historical sites linked to the Russian presence on Mount Athos have been preserved and renovated thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of the Russian Orthodox Church, and with the support and direct participation of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia himself, as well as the donors that the Patriarch has mentioned. I am especially glad to note the visible improvements at your monastery.
I am glad to see you in good health, your Reverence. You have made an invaluable contribution to the movement of the Russian pilgrimage.
As the Patriarch just said, Russian monks on Mount Athos had to live through difficult times in the 20th century. Out of several thousand monks who lived here in 1913, only dozens remained later, and only a few even later.
The first visit of Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Russia in 1972 marked the revival of the Saint Panteleimon Monastery. It was indeed very difficult to travel here from Russia at the time, and even more difficult to go visit our country. Today, numerous believers from Russia and other Slavic countries come to your monastery to venerate the relics of Mount Athos. It is important to continue doing everything to ensure that this little corner of Russia on Mount Athos continues to consolidate the spirit of all Orthodox believers.
I would like to thank you, your Reverence, and the brethren for the warm hospitality extended to our compatriots. You show us an example of adhering to the principles of humanity, goodness and justice. These traditional moral and cultural values are a benchmark and support for all of us, crucial for keeping peace, making Russia stronger, and preserving the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church.
I would like to wish your monastery prosperity, and I hope each and every one of you enjoys robust health and leads a long life.
So help us God. Christ has risen.»
With Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia
Vladimir Putin also had a brief conversation with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
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