Rome, Italy, Sep 28, 2006 / 22:00 pm
The Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Dioniggi Tettamanzi, arrived Thursday in Moscow at the invitation of Patriarch Alexis II for a visit to the Russian Orthodox Church.
According to Vatican Radio, the visit is a confirmation of the developing relations between the Archdiocese of Milan and the Patriarchate of Moscow. Milan has seen an increase in the numbers of Orthodox faithful in recent years, with whom the Archdiocese has established “very cordial” relations.
During the visit, which will last until October 3, Cardinal Tettamanzi will visit the most important sites of the Russian Orthodox Church. On October 2 he will have an official meeting with the Russian Orthodox Patriarch.
The president of the Italian Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenism and Dialogue, Bishop Vincenzo Paglia, is accompanying the cardinal on the trip.