Friday, December 29, 2006 at 2:02am
Orthodox faith said stronger in Russia
The Russian Orthodox Church bolstered its position among Russian people in 2006, said Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, deputy head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations.
"The most gratifying thing is that our Church continues to draw an ever-growing number of active people who have a profound knowledge of their faith and spiritual culture," he told Interfax news service Friday. "They are ready to be Christians not only when they go to church, but also at home and at work."
Father Vsevold added that negotiations with the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia have been practically completed, raising hopes for "the total restoration of the church's unity," he said.
"The most gratifying thing is that our Church continues to draw an ever-growing number of active people who have a profound knowledge of their faith and spiritual culture," he told Interfax news service Friday. "They are ready to be Christians not only when they go to church, but also at home and at work."
Father Vsevold added that negotiations with the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia have been practically completed, raising hopes for "the total restoration of the church's unity," he said.