On April 30, on the invitation of the president of the self-proclaimed Transdniestria Moldovan Republic, Igor Smirnov, Metropolitan Ahafangel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate participated in the reburial of the body of a Russian General, Foma Luzanov, in the territory of the military and historic memorial complex of the town of Bendery.
Upon arrival in the town, the hierarch visited the local administration from which the procession started.
In his archpastoral address to those present in the memorial complex, the hierarch stressed that “in these holy minutes when we remember the glorious son and valiant defender of our Motherland and bring to the Almighty our sincere prayers for his immortal soul, a great wonder is happening.”
In his address, Metropolitan Agafangel expressed his deep gratitude to the leadership of the republic led by President Smirnov for the event. “In this we see wisdom, political will and deep patriotism of President Smirnov and his team who do everything to ensure that Russia should be always present in your country and that the friendship between the peoples of the Kyivan Rus should be eternal and unshakeable,” said the hierarch.
On the same day, the metropolitan visited the residence of the president of the Transdniestria Moldovan Republic and held an official discussion with him about important questions of church-state relations between the sister peoples of Ukraine and Transdniestria, pravoslavye.org.ua reports.