Moscow, Russia - The state is in debt to religion and intends to support religious organizations and their service to people, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"The state is in debt to religious organizations and churches and I assure you that we shall help our religious organizations and support their service to people," Putin said congratulating Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and All Russia on the 15th anniversary of his enthronement in the Kremlin.
"I want to thank you for your domestic and foreign activities strengthening Russia's international efforts and contributing to the international authority of this country," Putin said.
According to Alexis II, a key task of the Russian Orthodox Church is to increase the number of parishes.
Putin said that the number of parishes was growing, indeed. "We are building Orthodox, Judaist and Moslem temples and restoring Islamic shrines," the president added. "The work is getting more substantial."