Mr Putin arrived at the St Sava Cathedral, the largest Orthodox shrine in Serbia, to the sound of ringing bells. Patriarch Irinej, the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, presented him an order and a certificate of its status. The Patriarch and Mr Putin entered the cathedral, where a large crowd had gathered despite the late hour. Many, especially young people, chanted: "Long live Russia!" and "Long live Putin!"

Mr Putin and Patriarch Irinej discussed the construction and decoration of the cathedral, particularly its mosaics. Russian Orthodox communities had promised to lend assistance with that.

"We are working with God's help and in the hope for help from our Russian brethren," said the Patriarch.

"We will secure this help," the prime minister replied.

He said that he admired the church: "It is majestic and worthy of Serbia."

Mr Putin kissed the icon of St Sava and lit candles for Serbia's wellbeing and in memory of the victims of 1999 air raids.

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The construction of the St Sava's Cathedral, consecrated to the founder of the Serbian Autocephalous Church and the most worshipped Serbian saint, began in the 1930s but never finished due to World War II and the Balkan hostilities. The works resumed in 1985. At present, workers are decorating the cathedral's interior, which is expected to take another five to seven years. The cathedral is 71 metres high, 91 metres long and 81 metres wide – a size comparable to the giant Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.