30 Sept., 2008 in Patriarchal residence Danilov Monastery of the Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II met with President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-tank.
His Holiness Patriarch Alexy greeted the distinguished guest and his companions. His Holiness spoke about the rebirth of Orthodoxy in Russia, what's happening over the past twenty years. "Now Russia is experiencing a renaissance of spirituality, the resurgence of faith", - said Predstoyatel Russian Orthodox Church and cited statistics showing that the revival of church life.
Since 2000, in Seoul pastoral care of Russian Orthodox believers commit Abbot Feofan (Kim), cleric Moscow Patriarchate. He performs prayers in a temple belonging to the jurisdiction of Constantinople. "We have received many requests from the Russian-speaking, because many Russians live and work in South Korea, and from the Orthodox Koreans to build an Orthodox church in South Korea", - said His Holiness Patriarch Alexy and stressed that in view of expanding Russian-Korean ties and growth of Russian-speaking diaspora in Korea it is time to think about building a temple Moscow Patriarchate.
According to Predstoyatelya Russian Orthodox Church, this issue is important also in light of the successful construction of an Orthodox church in Pyongyang in honor of Life-Giving Trinity, with the support of the political leadership of the Democratic People's Republic. This temple consecrated in 2006 and is administered by the canonical Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. "I think that the time when the availability of temples Russian Orthodox Church as the South and the North will play a positive role in the unification of Korea", - stressed His Holiness Patriarch Alexy. He also noted that a temple in Seoul to promote relations of Russian Orthodox Church and religious organizations of the Republic of Korea.
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak thanked the Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II for the warm welcome. "I hope that God will give the highest welfare of Russia, Russian people", - wished Lee Myung Bak. He also expressed hope for a renaissance in Korea, Russian Orthodoxy, which is present in his country for over 100 years.
The difficulties are in the post-war period has experienced Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Korea, were related to the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries. "Now it is in the past", - said Lee Myung Bak.
His Holiness also told the distinguished guest about the development of ecclesial charity, church education, publishing Church in modern Russia.
During the talks, both sides noted the high role of religion in public life, to preserve the tradition, the protection of family values, overcoming social contradictions.
In closing, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy and the President of the Republic of Korea exchanged gifts, and then visited the home church Patriarchial residence.
Men Lee Baca was accompanied by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Korea, GA Ivaschentsov. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan, Minister of Education, Science and Technology An Ben Man, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Lee Kyu-hyun, Adviser to the President on Foreign Policy and National Security Kim Sung-hwan and other members of the delegation. On the part of the Russian Orthodox Church at a meeting attended by Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, secretary for inter OVTSS Relations Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Acting Secretary OVTSS on the relationship of Church and Society priest George Ryabyh, staff OVTSS, as well as the Dean of St. Danilov Monastery Archimandrite Luke (Pinaev).