The relations between the Russian Church and the State “serve the good and prosperity of our people and our beloved homeland,” said Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, on 20 November 2025, during his meeting with President Vladimir Putin who paid him a visit to personally extend his congratulations on the Patriarch’s birthday.
The meeting underscored both the close relationship between the Russian state and the Russian Orthodox Church, and the President’s appreciation for the Patriarch’s decades-long service to the spiritual and social life of the nation.
President Putin opened the conversation by expressing heartfelt congratulations: “Your Holiness, you do so much for the Orthodox world, for the Russian people, for all of Russia in your service to our country,” he said.
“You devote so much energy and strength — I know this. And on your birthday, I want to wish you health, so that you may continue this noble service to our Motherland in the same intense and demanding manner. Thank you very much. Congratulations.”
Patriarch Kirill responded with deep gratitude, highlighting the evolution of modern Church–state relations in Russia: “I sincerely thank you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, for these kind words and your congratulations — but above all for the fact that, through your active participation as head of state, a style and model of Church–state relations has been formed that previous generations could only envy.”
The Patriarch contrasted this with earlier periods of Russian history: “In the old Tsarist times the Church was not free — it was governed by a state official. In Soviet times, we know well what happened. And now, for the first time in this long history, relations between Church and state are conducted in such a way that no conflicts arise that might cloud them.”
He added: “These relations truly serve the good and prosperity of our people and our beloved homeland. I thank you sincerely for this.”
