Maria Anikina

In his message for t Benedict XVI’s 80th birthday, Patriarch Alexi II praises the pontiff’s defence of Christian values, “the solid base on which collaboration between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Church can be built. Msgr. Kondrusiewicz underscores the Pope’s theological depth and the clarity of his positions, who is “seriously” committed to ecumenical dialogue. In Rome Catholics and Orthodox prayed “for the Pope and Christian unity”.

A recent survey indicates that one Russian in three is a non-believer. On average, they are male, 30 to 60-years-old, high school graduates and like diligence and decency. The same study shows an increasingly closer relationship between the Church and society.