Meeting at the Kremlin on Christmas eve

On January 6, on the eve of the main Christian holiday - Christmas, Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev received in the Kazan Kremlin representatives of the Kazan eparchy.

The meeting developed into a constructive discussion about further development of confessions in Tatarstan. Religion can be separated from the state, but it cannot be separated from society, mentioned the President. The RT Government always supported revival of the religion, because people need it. Islam, Orthodoxy and other religions are confessed in Tatarstan.

The religion has a great educational and spiritual potential and the clergy intends to work in this field. According to Kazan and Tatarstan Archbishop Anastasy - to open new parishes today is not so important, as to organize Sunday schools at each church and madrasahs at mosques. The public charitable fund "Kovcheg" at Sofia Church was organized in Kazan six years ago. A Sunday school, school of singing, orthodox youth theatre, psychological services and service preventing drug addiction and alcoholism function there. The experience of this organization is unique not only for Russia, but also for other countries.

A great deal has been done to revive ancient religious centers such as Raifa and Sviyazhsk and to renovate Chistopol and Leninogorsk temples.

The orthodox clergy thanked RT President М.Shaimiev for creating the atmosphere of respect, tolerance and faith in the republic, for constant assistance in reviving cathedrals. They wished the Tatarstan leader health, patience and stability and expressed hope to see him in office for a long time.