On November 30, Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev) met with the leader of the LDPR faction in the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who in 2018 was accused of molesting a minor. The meeting took place at the patriarchal residence on the premises of St. Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow and was dedicated to Zhirinovsky’s 75th birthday.
This was reported by the Credo.press.
“We appreciate your contribution to the country’s political life,” Kirill said, addressing Zhirinovsky. “You lead a party that is in opposition. But this is the first party that once formed an alternative to the only party in our country. And despite the fact that you are an opposition party to the ruling one, you have always retained a patriotic stance. Your work has always reflected your care for the people and your good attitude towards the Church, which we value. These are the parameters that determine the true profile of a politician, this is his attitude to the country, to the people, and to the spiritual values of our public and state.”
“We have always paid great attention to the restoration of everything connected with the Russian Orthodox Church. We have always advocated the return of all churches, compensations for the losses incurred,” Zhirinovsky said in response. “Today we see the whole country covered with churches, the bells of the Russian Orthodox Church are everywhere, and I can safely say that of all political parties – and we’re there for the eighth convocation already, for almost 30 years, we are the only ones who have always spoken about it. Patriotism has been our top priority!”
It should be recalled that on March 22, 2018, Renat Davletgildiyev, a journalist with the Segodnya TV channel who is a gay person, posted on Facebook a claim that Vladimir Zhirinovsky had previously sexually approached him against his will.
