Archbishop Zosima of Elista and Kalmykia paid a visit to Benedict XVI in the Vatican, bringing to the Pontiff the regards of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Alexius II. This has been reported today by the Russian Agency Interfax, which mentioned the press office of the diocese of Elista and Kalmykia. Archbishop Zosima, writes Interfax, said to Benedict XVI that he "attaches great importance to the testimony of the Christian values in front of the modern world, along with the Catholic Church". "Benedict XVI thanked the archbishop for his visit and sent his regards to Alexius II". In addition, Zosima, writes Interfax, illustrated to the Pope "the reawakening of the Russian Orthodox Church. Currently in Russia millions of people join the life of grace in the Church. At Kalmykia, over the last ten years, the Orthodox Churches have increased from two to twenty, and many schools and training centres have been set up". A copy of the Gospel in the Kalmykian language and an icon of God’s Mother sealed the visit.
