Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday referred to the “mutual rapport” between the Russian and Greek people, during his arrival in the semi-autonomous monastic community of Mount Athos.
“This year we are celebrating a commemorative year in Greece-Russia relations,” he noted, adding: “this mutual rapport unites the two peoples and helps them overcome difficulties.”
The influential Russian president will pay a private visit to the Aghios (St.) Panteleimon monastery on Mount Athos -- a promontory in northern Greece’s Halkidiki prefecture -- on the occasion of the 1,000-anniversary of the presence of Russian Orthodox monasticism there.
“Mount Athos is a unique center of Orthodoxy… We hope to consolidate relations with Mount Athos. It is satisfying that an increasing number of pilgrims from Russia visit every year,” he said.
REUTERS/ALEXANDROS AVRAMIDIS
Putin was greeted upon his arrival on the semi-autonomous territory by Greek president Prokopis Pavlopoulos.
The Russian president will subsequently join Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kyril at the St. Panteleimon monastery for a strictly private visit.
