The head of the Russian Orthodox Church lauded Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the Russian prime minister’s 58th birthday. The former KGB agent served as the nation’s president from 1999 to 2008. “Assuming such heavy burden of responsibility which may seem unbearable to other people, you successfully tackle many complicated challenges faced by this country with your inherent skills and your ability in strategic thinking and critical assessment of the current situation,” said Patriarch Kirill in his birthday greetings.
The patriarch expressed gratitude to Putin for the “full assistance rendered by the government to recover the cultural heritage of Orthodox Russia and its contribution in the spiritual education and development of citizens.”
