Raul Sees Off His Holiness Kirill with Cordial Embrace at the Airport

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 14 (acn) Army General Raul Castro, president of the councils of State and Ministers, saw off His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, with a cordial embrace today in this city, who will continue his tour of Paraguay and Brazil.

They exchanged warm greetings at the foot of the aircraft steps at the Jose Marti International Airport.
I will continue being there for Cuba, said the Primate during the Divine Liturgy he officiated this morning at the Nuestra Señora de Kazan Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a monument to the Cuban-Russian relations of friendship and solidarity.
This fourth visit of Kirill to the island was marked by the historic meeting with Pope Francis -the first after centuries of disagreements between the two ecclesiastical institutions-, which culminated in the signing of a document where they agreed on the desire to advance in bilateral relations, in favor of the unity of all Christians.
The statement highlights Cuba as a symbol of hope in the New World and covers topics such as the displacement of Christians in the Middle East, inter-religious dialogue, people living in extreme poverty, family and Christian youth.
During his stay, the Patriarch received from President Raul the Jose Marti Order, the highest decoration awarded by the Cuban State, for his special contribution to the links between the two peoples and his merits as a religious leader.
With a "Long Live Cuba!" in Spanish language, he expressed his gratitude for the award and considered a duty to take relations between Russia and Cuba to higher levels.
His Holiness Kirill also paid a courtesy visit to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro. They exchanged views on topics of interest related to the cause of the poor, the struggle against discrimination, the preservation of peace and human survival.
The Patriarch of Moscow placed a wreath at the Monument to the Soviet Internationalist Soldier, located in this capital, where the mortal remains of 60 combatants of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), who fell in the line of duty on the island, rest.
In addition, he toured the Solidarity with Panama School, inaugurated in Havana in 1989 by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, to receive children with physical-motor limitations.
Kirill said he was happy at that center, which he presented with wheelchairs, computers, toys and sweets.
At the emblematic Marti Theater, he enjoyed a concert in honor of his official visit to Cuba, enlivened by sacred melodies in the voices of the Choir of the Clergy of the Eparchy of Moscow, a member of the delegation of the Primate for this trip to the Caribbean nation.