KALININGRAD, September 10 (RIA Novosti)...

Putin spoke at the ceremony of opening the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Russia's exclave on the Baltic Sea. The cathedral was consecrated by Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II.

"This is a significant event for the region and for the whole of Russia because this is another step towards reviving our national spiritual culture from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean," Putin said.

Putin greeted Patriarch Alexy II and thousands of believers who had gathered in the cathedral and around it.

"I am confident that the cathedral will become not only a center of Orthodox Christianity in Kaliningrad and the Kaliningrad Region," Putin said. "I am convinced that this grand building will turn into a spiritual center that will contribute to the development of friendship and mutual understanding in the entire Baltic region of Europe," Putin said.

The Patriarch earlier awarded Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref with the 2nd degree Order

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