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Russian Orthodox Church Head Prays for Olympic Success

© RIA Novosti . Vasily Ponomarev / Go to the mediabankPatriarch Kirill
Patriarch Kirill - Sputnik International
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The head of the Russian Orthodox Church visited Olympic venues in Sochi on Wednesday to meet with athletes and pray for the success of the Games.

SOCHI, February 5 (RIA Novosti) – The head of the Russian Orthodox Church visited Olympic venues in Sochi on Wednesday to meet with athletes and pray for the success of the Games.

Speaking to journalists after the event, Patriarch Kirill dismissed criticism of the Olympic Games as being alien to traditional Russian Orthodox culture because of their pagan, ancient Greek origins.

He said that many Russian traditions originate from pagan beliefs that have been “filled with new spirit” by Christianity.

The Patriarch also met with athletes from Russia and fellow Orthodox Christian countries Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, and wished them luck in the Games, which open Friday.

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