Ramazan Abdulatipov meets with bishops Varlaam and Ignatius

Makhachkala, August 6, 2015. On August 5, Dagestan Head Ramazan Abdulatipov met with Varlaam, the bishop of Makhachkala and Grozny, and Ignatius, the bishop of Vyborg and Priozersk, the chairman of the Synodal Youth Department of the Russian Orthodox Church, who are taking part in the II International Youth interfaith forum these days.

The bishop Varlaam thanked Dagestani Head for support in organizing and conducting the interfaith forum, which consists of an extensive program that attracts the representatives of different faiths from the regions of the North Caucasian Federal District.

Addressing to the honored guests, Abdulatipov expressed his appreciation to those who accepted invitation to visit Dagestan and participate in the large-scale event.

"It is very important for our republic, because the father Varlaam is a person who always looks for new ideas, conducts serious work with parishioners and takes into account the fact that the majority of population are Muslims. He keeps very good relations with the Dagestan mufti Sheikh Ahmad Hajji Abdulayev.

We need to work together, especially with young people. Last year I met with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, who supports the bishop of Makhachkala and Grozny. In general, we do all possible that the Russian Orthodox Church successfully operates in the Republic of Dagestan ", - Ramazan Abdulatipov pointed out.

The chairman of the Synodal Youth Department of the Russian Orthodox Church Ignatius noted that by results of the I International Youth interfaith forum last year, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill expressed wish to hold such events regularly. Ignatius also commended on the work of the forum and recommended to organize similar forums in other regions of the Northern Caucasus.

In his turn, the bishop of Makhachkala and Grozny Varlaam noted:
"Yesterday, the young people said that they wanted to study and to be prompted how to live and develop. It gives us a hope that we labor not in vain, and makes us confident that the work with young people is necessary"- the bishop Varlaam stated. Besides, the bishop reported about the requests to host the next Youth Forum in Ingushetia.

Ramazan Abdulatipov proposed to discuss the issue with Dagestan mufti Ahmad-Haji Abdulayev and, while making a decision, to organize such a forum in other subjects of the North Caucasus Federal District with the participation of region governor.