The head of the Nizhny Novgorod region meets religious activists

In Nizhny Novgorod region, Governor Valery Shantsev had a meeting with representatives of religious denominations.

"We meet regularly with representatives of all traditional confessions, discussing issues of interaction and cooperation. It is undoubtedly important to maintain social, inter-religious, inter-ethnic peace and cooperation. Today, people increasingly turn to religion and find confidence in it - this is a trend that has been developing lately," said Valery Shantsev.

The participants of the meeting discussed issues of social and interfaith cooperation, progress and challenges, celebrations of the 700th anniversary since the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the 650th anniversary of his stay on the Nizhny Novgorod land. The participants also touched upon the problems that concern all residents of the region - repairing roads, healthcare, education and social protection.

"The head of the region shared plans with us, talked about prospects for cooperation. The scale of plans that exist today as projects will be implemented in the future - this is very inspiring," Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy said. The priest also expressed a hope that productive interaction with the regional government will continue in the future. As an example, he referred to the  joint construction of a mosque in Dzerzhinsk.

"We were approached by the head of the Muslim community who requested  assistance in the completion of the construction of the mosque. We found a way to conduct gratuitous works. This is our good tradition, to help our brothers in making prayer locations better, and one needs to support and develop this tradition," said the Metropolitan Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas.