Patriarch Irinej of Serbia welcomed in Belgrade the cadets of several Russian cadet corps. The meeting took place as a part of the program of the Cadet Symphony: Serbia 2012, which attracted 90 participants from the Tambov, Voronezh and Yakutsky cadet corps, explained communications director of the St. Vasily the Great Foundation Pavel Barkovets.
The patriarch noted “the fraternal ties between the Serbian and Russian people, the backbone of which is the Orthodox faith” and wished the cadets “to remain strong in their studies, in their faith and in their love for the motherland.” He also recalled how the King of Yugoslavia once wore the uniform of Russia’s Page Corps and did everything possible to help Russian cadets who were forced to leave their homeland during the Civil War.
Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Konuzin emphasized the importance of sharing experience between the educational institutions of the two countries, developing youth relations and promoting the Russian culture and the study of the Russian language in Serbia.
Chairman of the St. Vasily the Great Foundation Konstantin Malofeev thanked the patriarch for his warm reception and attention shown to the Russian cadets. During the meeting, the participants discussed cooperation opportunities for the foundation and the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service
