Putin wished Patriarch Kirill longevity on his birthday

In a telephone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ on his 77th birthday, expressing wishes for health and longevity. TASS writes about this.

According to information published on the website of the Russian Orthodox Church, on November 20, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ turned 77 years old. On this day, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin called the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church to congratulate him on his birthday. The President expressed wishes to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church for good health, longevity and success in his service as primate.

Patriarch Kirill, also known as Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev before becoming a monk, was born on November 20, 1946 in Leningrad into the family of a priest. In 1969, he entered the monastic order, taking the name Cyril. After the passing of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus’ in December 2008, at an emergency meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Kirill was elected temporary head of the patriarchal throne. In January 2009, at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, he was elected the 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, and his enthronement took place on February 1 in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.