ecumenism and dialogue " "
In a solemn ceremony the Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias Alexis II handed over a replica of the icon of the Madonna of Kazan to the city of Kazan, the ancient river port city on the Volga, on Thursday 22 July. According to the press release of the Patriarchate of Moscow, the visit of Alexis II to Kazan is closely linked to the celebrations for the 450th anniversary of the Orthodox diocese. On 28 August 2004 a delegation of the Holy See (led by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity) had restored the holy icon to Russia, in accordance with the wish expressed by John Paul II, after it had been in the papal palace in the Vatican for ten years. The icon had been accompanied, in its return to Russia, by a personal message of John Paul II. “May this ancient image of the Mother of Our Lord tell His Holiness Alexis II and the venerable Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church says the Pope’s letter of the Pope’s desire and firm will to progress together with them in the journey of mutual understanding and reconciliation, to hasten the day of the full unity of believers for which the Lord Jesus ardently prayed”. According to a report carried by the French press agency AFP, in the course of a press conference, Patriarch Alexis II mentioned relations with the Vatican. “I did not exclude before, and I don’t exclude now, a visit of the Pope to Russia”, said the Patriarch, while at the same time reiterating as he has before the point that this visit will only be possible “on certain conditions and if some existing problems” between the two churches are first resolved.
