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Vladimir Putin has attended the public prayer to the deceased Patriarch Alexei II ministered by Patriarch Kirill in one of the churches of the monastery.

After the service Vladimir Putin has lit the candle for The Icon of Christ of Edessa and together with Patriarch Kirill has visited the monastery museum named after Alexei II.

Prime Minister was shown historical documents and photos depicting construction of churches of the monastery, and the period of its ruining in the Soviet years.

Patriarch Kirill has told the head of the government of how during the Soviet-Finnish war monks endeavoured to save treasures of the monastery rescueing them from Valaam over the ice.

Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill have also visited icon-painting workshop of the monastery, had tea in the refectory, and Prime Minister has asked not to water his tea but to fill him strong monastic tea instead.

With the head of the government Patriarch Kirill has shared memoirs of his visit to the Valaam Monastery many years ago and participation in the Divine Liturgy at the hegumen cemetry by the Church of all the Reverend Fathers who Shone Forth in the Ascetic Life.