Alexy II Meets Ethiopian Prime Minister

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II will meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, currently on a visit to Moscow, in his residence on Tuesday. The Ethiopian Prime Minister's visit to the Moscow Patriarchate is not a mere tribute of the Ethiopian government to the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church. A great number of the Ethiopians confess one of the branches of Christianity - the so-called Coptic Church. The Copts adhere to the teaching of Jesus Christ's personality which differs from the traditional orthodox dogma. Therefore, the Coptic Church is not regarded as orthodox. However, there are traditional warm relations between the Coptic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. The coming Tuesday visit of Meles Zenawi to the Patriarch is viewed in this context.