Iran's Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali met Patriarch Kirill at his official residence in Moscow, where he delivered a message from Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei in response to the patriarch's earlier letters offering condolences on the martyrdom of late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and congratulations on the election of the new Leader.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church thanked the Leader for his "valuable message" and said the close ties between Iran and Russia provide a good opportunity for dialogue on bilateral relations.
Patriarch Kirill also expressed deep sorrow over the suffering of people in different parts of the world, including the hardships endured by the Iranian people, saying he prays for peace and security in the region and for the health and steadfastness of the Iranian nation.
He highlighted the ongoing dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and Iran's Islamic denominations through the two countries' joint commission, saying Russian Christians enjoy good relations with Iran's Muslim community.
The patriarch noted that the Russian Orthodox Church and Iranian Muslims share similar views on moral issues, the role of religion in daily life and the importance of family values, while lamenting the erosion of ethics and the family institution in some countries.
He also emphasized the importance of expanding religious, academic and scientific cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Referring to the delegation sent by the Russian Orthodox Church to attend the farewell and funeral ceremonies for the martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Patriarch Kirill said its members had reported receiving a warm welcome from both Iranian officials and ordinary citizens, describing it as a sign of the closeness between Iran and Russia and between followers of Islam and Christianity.