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Francis and Kirill, a Holy Alliance for the future of Christians and the world Vladimir Rozanskij The meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch of Moscow Kirill has been eagerly desired for quite some time. Expected under John Paul II; hoped for with Benedict XVI, it has taken time to realize. Catholics and Orthodox face the same challenges of persecution and relativism. Orthodox nationalism, backed by Putin, causes some reticence. The Middle East crisis and risk of Russia’s isolation fosters collaboration. Moscow (AsiaNews) - The long wait is finally over: on February 12th the Third Rome reconciled with the First Rome, to save the Second, the persecuted Churches of the East. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow wanted to take advantage of Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico, to mark in Cuba a historic step that he has no intention of leaving to his eventual successor. Become patriarch of the ... [link] History Moscow and Rome: A history of clashes and dialogue by Ieromonaco Ioann ...

Economic crisis becomes the main topic at public debate by Nina Achmatova Prime Minister Medvedev tells Russians to prepare for the “worst scenario” as the country’s economy follows the downward spiral of oil prices. Government spending will be cut by 10 per cent. Wages are in arrears. Yet, experts do not expect any mass protest for now. Moscow (AsiaNews) – Russian government officials spoke this week at an economic forum in Moscow about Russia’s worsening economic outlook, warning the population to prepare for the “worst scenario” as low oil prices continue to sink the country’s energy-dependent economy. Speaking at the annual Gaidar Forum in Moscow , Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov warned that oil prices might continue to drop and that country might see a repeat of the 1998 financial crisis. He pointed out that Russia needs oil to be US$ 82 whilst at present it hovers around US$ 30. [full text] Oil falls below 30 dollars a barrel as world’s oligarchies...