Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the primate of the Orthodox Church met in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. "Please accept my warmest congratulations," the prime minister said, while presenting the Patriarch with flowers and an icon of the Saints Cyril and Methodius. The Patriarch's name day coincided with the holy day devoted to the Saints Cyril and Methodius, who are considered equal to the original apostles.

Putin told the Patriarch that he had one more present for the church in honour of the day. "It is a series of government resolutions transferring several properties to the Russian Orthodox Church. Regrettably, this includes very many buildings that are partially or entirely destroyed," Putin said.

"That's okay. We will restore them together, step by step," the Patriarch said.

After a joint photo session, the prime minister and the Patriarch went into a separate room for tea and conversation.