“The relations between the government and the Russian Orthodox Church are going through a special period and stand out for their special warmth. We do not just return to the Church what it was illegally deprived of after 1917, but we also build new churches. However, this concerns the material side of our relations. Of much greater importance are the relations between the Church and the government in the spiritual sphere. The Russian Orthodox Church and all traditional confessions in Russia together with the government are building new and restoring previously lost shrines the way we are restoring together our common home, our Motherland - Russia. The Church, more than any other institution, provides support for every individual and the entire state at difficult moments, and it is the Church that shares our joys and successes.”
"Recent years have seen excellent contacts between the Church and the state in every field of our partnership, which concerns spiritual support by the Church and material support by the state. On the other hand, it is our shared concern, and it is the state's duty, to pay its dues to all our churches and denominations. We have really done a great deal to promote the Church Renaissance. At any rate, we have helped the Church to re-establish its material basis with church construction and revival of monasteries."
“The Church has always been very loyal to all citizens of the country regardless of their ethnic origin or religion. It has always promoted peace between different religions in Russia, thereby consolidating the country.”
“In a dialogue with other sister churches, the Russian Orthodox Church has always upheld, and I hope will continue to uphold, the national and spiritual identity of the Russian people. We very much hope that this process will continue.”
“The Russian Orthodox Church has always supported multi-polar views in Russia, and always facilitated the formation of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state. We are hoping that it will continue doing so in the future.”