His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov

DECR Communication Service, 21/07/2025

On July 21, 2025, in the Governor’s Palace of the Kazan Kremlin, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ met with the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr Rustam Minnikhanov.

They were joined in the meeting by Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan and Mufti of Tatarstan Kamil hazrat Samigullin, head of the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan, reports the Patriarchal Press Service.

“I heartily welcome you, esteemed Patriarch Kirill, and your colleagues to the hospitable land of Tatarstan,” Mr Minnikhanov said, addressing the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, “Our meetings have become a good tradition, indicating the steady development of the Orthodox life in the Republic and further strengthening of the interfaith dialogue and cooperation between the state and religions.”

“Over the past year, Tatarstan has achieved significant results in preserving its religious heritage,” the Rais of Tatarstan continued, “Joint projects are under way in such spheres as education, culture and social ministry. The multifaceted cooperation between the Orthodox Christian community and the Muslim Ummah in the Republic set an example for the entire Russia. Contributing to that are regular events and meetings with the participation of religious leaders. I believe that everywhere we act as one.”

“Restoration of religious shrines is one of the key areas of our joint activities,” Mr Minnikhanov added, “I would like to mention two projects in particular which have been carried out over the recent years with your blessing. One of them is the revival of the Monastery of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God which is now in the final stage of reconstruction. To restore its historical form is our common spiritual duty. We remember you taking part in the laying of the foundation for and later consecrating the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, and today we see one of the oldest churches in our capital – the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, known as “of Nicholas of Tula” – and monks’ quarters being reconstructed. The second project is the restoration of the memorial church on the river Kazanka, and you will see how well it has been done and how properly all issues have been resolved.”

“Your Holiness, thank you very much for visiting us. May our joint efforts continue to bear such abundant fruits! I am really glad to welcome you here and, most importantly, we have something to report to you about,” the head of the Republic of Tatarstan said in conclusion.

“Esteemed Rustam Nurgaliyevich, I wholeheartedly thank you for your words and, above all, for the current developments in Tatarstan,” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said in response, “I see your Republic’s unquestionable success in the economic sphere; the political situation is stable; social issues are being addressed.”

“It happens all over the world – where two or three strong religious communities are present, tension between them may arise. Surely, there is a diplomatic protocol for such occasions and meetings are held, but it often causes very serious conflicts at grass-roots level. Everything may seem fine at the leaders’ level, but when it comes to the grass-roots level the situation may be bad. With gratitude to you and to our Muslim brothers I should say that nothing of the sort happens here, in this blessed land,” His Holiness also said.

As Patriarch Kirill noted, it indicates that the head of the region devotes due attention to interfaith relations and does much to ensure that the remarkable tradition of good relations between Orthodox Christians and Muslims in Tatarstan continues.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Muslim clergy, for they edify their people and play a very important role,” the Primate of the Russian Church also said, “The fact that we have no conflicts, no tension here is thanks to the position of the authorities and the position of Muslims. And as for Orthodox Christians, I will say one thing only – were it not for the Orthodox Church with its absolute openness towards others, no great multi-ethnic Russia would ever exist.”

“Today it is undoubtedly largely determined by the position of our President, our central authorities. Yet, in such regions as Tatarstan it largely depends on your personal position, on the position of your colleagues and, of course, our Muslim brothers. Therefore, taking this opportunity, I would like to thank you for that,” His Holiness concluded.

Later, the Primate of the Russian Church had a brief meeting with Mr Mintimer Shaimiev, State Counsellor of the Republic of Tatarstan and its first president.