Patriarch Kirill Highlights Bonds of Friendship between Cuba and Russia

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 11 (acn) His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and of All Russia, highlighted on Thursday in this capital the bonds of friendship and cooperation uniting his country and Cuba for decades.
He was received at Havana's José Marti International Airport by Army General Raul Castro, President of the councils of State and Ministers.

Upon his arrival, according to the translation provided by ACN's Russian language expert Anton Velez, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church said:
"For the fourth time, I set foot in Cuban soil and I do so marked by a feeling of warmth. I have come here on a friendly visit at the invitation of the head of the Republic of Cuba, the President of the councils of State and Ministers, Mr. Raul Castro.
The peoples of Cuba and Russia are linked by long years of joint efforts and cooperation and sincere friendship.
And, while addressing the people of Cuba, I would say that these positive feelings are preserved and multiplied, both there and here.
In my conversations with people, I will have the opportunity to convey cordial greetings from Russians. Since I'm not just a Moscow patriarch, but a patriarch of all Russia, I convey greetings from all the people of historic Russia.
I wish prosperity to the people of Cuba and happiness to all Cubans. May the Lord be with you with his mercy and love."
Also receiving the Russian Patriarch were Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of the National Assembly of the People's Power (ANPP) and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, both members of the Political Bureau of the Cuban Communist Party, and religious leaders.
This fourth trip by His Holiness Kirill to the Cuban nation will be marked by the historic meeting that he will hold on Friday with Pope Francis, for being it the first meeting between the Orthodox and Catholic churches after centuries of disagreements.
During the meeting, the two leaders will sign a joint declaration on issues such as the defense of life, marriage, family and the problem of persecuted Christians in the Middle East, according to information given to Vatican Radio by Father Hyacinthe Destivelle, of the Pontifical Council for the Unity of Christians.
As part of his stay on the island, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia will hold official talks with Army General Raul Castro.
In addition, the visitor will pay tributes to Cuba's National Hero Jose Marti at the Memorial of Revolution Square and by the monument to the Soviet Internationalist Soldier in this capital.
The Solidarity with Panama School is also on the agenda of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, where he will go to hand over a donation of wheelchairs for children with special needs.
His Holiness Kirill visited Cuba for the first time in 1995 to revitalize the existing Orthodox community and returned in 2004 to participate in the laying of the foundation stone of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Havana, in his capacity as Smolensk and Kaliningrad Metropolitan and president of the Department Foreign Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.
In 2008 he paid his third visit to the island, where he officiated the Divine Liturgy of consecration of the Russian Nuestra Señora de Kazan Orthodox Cathedral, located in the historic area of the city of Havana and a monument to the Cuban-Russian friendship and solidarity relations.