Russian invited Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill to Ulyanovsk

On October 15, at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with Metropolitan Longin of Simbirsk and Novospassky and the Governor of the Ulyanovsk Region Alexei Yurievich of Russia. The event was also attended by the managing director of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Gregory of Resurrection. The parties discussed cooperation between the regional authorities and the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Governor thanked the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church for the opportunity to meet and separately expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Longin for the large-scale work on the preservation of spiritual and moral values and the education of youth in the Ulyanovsk region. The head of the region stressed that representatives of the Church and the regional authorities are working together to implement joint projects. In turn, Metropolitan Longin thanked the Governor for the openness and comprehensive support that the regional authorities provide to the Simbirsk Metropolia.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill positively assessed the co-operation of the authorities and the metropolis, noting that conditions have formed in Russia for the natural and progressive development of church life. The Primate also drew attention to the importance of building diocesan centers and cathedrals, including on the site of churches lost in Soviet times and in new dioceses.

During the meeting, they spoke about joint initiatives of the Ulyanovsk region and the Simbirsk Metropolis, in particular, about projects to preserve cultural heritage, support fighters and their families, educational and charitable activities. Among the significant results are the construction of the temple complex in Dimitrovgrad, the temple in the name of the Holy Prince Dmitry Donskoy in Ulyanovsk, the completion of the construction of the Alexander Nevsky temple in the Zasviyazhsky district, as well as the restoration of the temple in Pavlovka and the repair of the chapel on Nikolskaya Hill. Following the meeting, the Governor invited His Holiness the Patriarch to visit the Ulyanovsk region.