MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia is the main global force that protects Christians around the world, Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill said Sunday.
"It seems that Russia is now acting as the main force that protects Christians all over the world," the patriarch said.
In February, Kirill and Pope Francis pleaded for the international community to protect persecuted Christians, in a joint declaration issued after their meeting in Cuba.
Leaders of Christian churches throughout the world, as well as human rights activists have repeatedly called on the international community to stop the massive persecution of Christians in various parts of the planet.
According to human rights defenders, more than 7,000 people were killed in 2015 alone on account of their religious beliefs.
