٠٠:٠٣:٢٧Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the country's 'Orthodox citizens feel at home' during a visit to the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku on Monday.
"Everyone lives as one friendly family. And we celebrate holidays together - Christian, Muslim and Jewish [holidays]. So there is such unity here," Aliyev added.
Footage shows the presidents chatting with Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan, before lighting and placing candles in the cathedral. Putin can also be seen gifting an icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord to the cathedral.
"Thank you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, this [icon] will be a decoration of our cathedral. Thank you very much. But today, in accordance with Russian tradition, I would like to give you some consecrated fruit. On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord there are always apples, grapes and peaches," replied Bishop Alexy.
Putin arrived in Baku on Sunday for a two-day state visit. The Kremlin press service reported that the leaders discussed further development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations, strategic partnership and alliance, as well as current international and regional issues.
'One friendly family' - Aliyev tells Putin 'Orthodox citizens feel at home' during visit to Baku cathedral
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the country's 'Orthodox citizens feel at home' during a visit to the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku on Monday.
"Everyone lives as one friendly family. And we celebrate holidays together - Christian, Muslim and Jewish [holidays]. So there is such unity here," Aliyev added.
Footage shows the presidents chatting with Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan, before lighting and placing candles in the cathedral. Putin can also be seen gifting an icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord to the cathedral.
"Thank you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, this [icon] will be a decoration of our cathedral. Thank you very much. But today, in accordance with Russian tradition, I would like to give you some consecrated fruit. On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord there are always apples, grapes and peaches," replied Bishop Alexy.
Putin arrived in Baku on Sunday for a two-day state visit. The Kremlin press service reported that the leaders discussed further development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations, strategic partnership and alliance, as well as current international and regional issues.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the country's 'Orthodox citizens feel at home' during a visit to the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku on Monday.
"Everyone lives as one friendly family. And we celebrate holidays together - Christian, Muslim and Jewish [holidays]. So there is such unity here," Aliyev added.
Footage shows the presidents chatting with Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan, before lighting and placing candles in the cathedral. Putin can also be seen gifting an icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord to the cathedral.
"Thank you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, this [icon] will be a decoration of our cathedral. Thank you very much. But today, in accordance with Russian tradition, I would like to give you some consecrated fruit. On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord there are always apples, grapes and peaches," replied Bishop Alexy.
Putin arrived in Baku on Sunday for a two-day state visit. The Kremlin press service reported that the leaders discussed further development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations, strategic partnership and alliance, as well as current international and regional issues.