Alexy II urges interaction between priests, diplomats

09 April 2008, 18:16

Moscow, April 9, Interfax - Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia has called for mutual support between Russian diplomats posted abroad and priests serving in Russian Orthodox parishes outside Russia.

"It is my desire that clergy in the countries where [Diplomatic Academy] students will be posted should help our diplomats and share their attitudes," Patriarch told reporters Wednesday after meeting in Moscow with Diplomatic Academy students.

In turn, Russian Orthodox Church priests abroad need "diplomatic support," he said.

Church and state "should not erect a wall between them but should interact for the good of our people, including in the international relations sphere," Alexy II said.

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