MOSCOW, August 28 (RIA Novosti's Olga Lipich) - Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexis II served a divine liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin to celebrate the Assumption (Dormition) of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The representative delegation of the Roman Catholic Church has attended the service.
Before the service chief delegate Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, placed the 18th century's copy of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan by the altar. The shrine was taken away from Russia many years ago and was kept in the Pope's apartment for the last 11 years.
The icon was brought to Moscow by a special flight yesterday. However, its wood container was open to Patriarch Alexis II and believers in the Assumption Cathedral today.
Archbishop Arseny of Istra, Bishop Mark of Yegoryevsk, Bishop Hermann of Yakutia, Papal Nuncio Antonio Mennini and Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz have taken part in the celebrations in the Assumption Cathedral.
