Russian and Georgian Orthodox Churches discuss South Ossetian and Abkhazian laity

In Kiev arrangements devoted to the Day of the Introduction of Christianity into Russia are being held with the participation of Moscow and all-Russian Patriarch Kirill. This year the holiday is being attended by the Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, Ilya II. On July 28, the day of Prince Vladimir's birthday, a joint festive liturgy on the Cathedral Square of Kiev's Pechersk Lavra, will be celebrated.

Yesterday Kirill and Ilya II spoke about a successful start to the discussion of the problems of the laity living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which still come under the aegis of the Georgian Orthodox Church, notwithstanding political independence,  RIA Novosti reports.

Patriarch Kirill noticed that delegations of two Churches are visiting each other more intensively, and that the Russian Orthodox Church has the closest ties with the Georgian Church.

“This is right, as our political relations are complicated. When ties between countries loosen, ties between the peoples of the countries should be improved,” Patriarch Kirill said.

After the negotiations he expressed satisfaction with the results of the discussion of difficult issues.