Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, on Tuesday met with Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia of the Russian Orthodox Church, in the Russian capital city.

First, Karekin II congratulated—on behalf of the Armenian Apostolic Church and its faithful—Kirill I, on his 70th birth anniversary, and extended him his brotherly love and best wishes.

The Armenian Catholicos also lauded the Russian Patriarch’s mediation efforts toward re-establishing peace in the Caucasus.

In addition, Karekin II reflected on the brotherly ties and collaboration between the two churches.

Furthermore, the Catholicos of All Armenians thanked Kirill I for his constant spiritual care and fatherly concern toward the Armenian church dioceses and Armenians in Russia.

Patriarch Kirill I, for his part, stated that ties between the Armenian and Russian peoples continue to strengthen and flourish. He also stressed that Armenian-Russian relations have strengthened and developed all through the years.