During the meeting, head of the Republic of Kalmykia Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and archbishop Zosima of Elista and Kalmykia invited His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II to visit Elista. As reported in the diocese, the opening of a monument to St. Sergius of Radonezh is planned in April-May 2007 as well as the laying of a stone in the foundation of a new cathedral named after the Great Martyr Panteleimon. His Holiness the Patriarch thanked Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Archbishop Zosima for the invitation.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov told His Holiness about the church life in Kalmykia and construction of new churches. According to Ilyumzhinov, the biggest temples of the republic -- the Holy Cross Church and the Kazan Cathedral consecrated by His Holiness the Patriarch in 1997 -- no longer accommodate all believers, so it is planned to lay the first stone in the foundation of cathedral named after the Great Martyr Panteleimon in the spring this year.
In turn, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy noted the work of Ilyumzhinov for the benefit of Kalmykia and Orthodox Church. Speaking about consecration of the future cathedral named after the Great Martyr Panteleimon, His Holiness the Patriarch emphasized that "everyone has mental and physical problems to solve which we address our prayers to the martyr and healer Panteleimon".
His Holiness blessed the revival of the Sergiev Chapel and hereto presented to President of Kalmykia the sacred image of St. Sergius of Radonezh made by icon painters of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov presented His Holiness with a souvenir chess set.

February 5, 2007