Russia and Egypt have everything they need, including a spiritual kinship, to rely on each other in times of crisis, Russian Ambassador to Egypt Georgy Borisenko said.
"In today's difficult world, Russia and Egypt are better off sticking together. In times of political, economic and other crises, it is necessary to rely on the shoulder of a friend. Russians and Egyptians have all the prerequisites for this, including spiritual kinship," he said at a meeting between Metropolitan Leonid (Gorbachyov), Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, and Patriarch Tawadros II, Head of the Coptic Church, in Cairo.
"Certainly, we will be glad to see you in Russia again. I hope such an opportunity will surely present itself," he added, referring to the Patriarch, who visited the Russian Federation 8 years ago.
On 24 June, the Patriarchal Exarch began a visit to Cairo in Egypt. In the course of the trip, talks were held at high level, in particular with Sheikh Noureddine Kanavi, Head of the Central Authority of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs of Egypt. During a meeting with him. Metropolitan Leonid said that the Exarchate would appeal to the President of Egypt to allocate land in the new capital of Egypt for a spiritual centre.
During the visit, the Coptic Church of the Great Martyr and Wonderworker Mina and Pope Cyrilos VI (Mar Mina) in Giza was handed over to the exarchate. Metropolitan Leonid celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in it in the status of exarch of African soil. In addition, on June 25 in Cairo, a concert by the Vera ensemble of soloists of the Moscow Synodal Choir was held at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture, at which Metropolitan Leonid addressed his compatriots.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS