OREANDA-NEWS. Vladimir Putin attended the celebratory prayer service dedicated to the 1025th anniversary of the  Baptism of Rus at Vladimirskaya Gorka in Kyiv.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia led the service together with the Primates of the Autocephalic Orthodox Churches who came to Kyiv to take part in the celebrations. The prayer service took place on the eve of the Saint Prince Vladimir memorial day who baptized Rus in 988.

The celebratory prayer service was attended by President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, President of Moldova  Nicolae Timofti and President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic.

Later, a bilateral meeting took place between Vladimir Putin and President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych.

Then Russian President met with the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and presented them with state decorations for their contribution to development of friendly relations between peoples and support of spiritual traditions.

Vladimir Putin also visited the Assumption Cathedral at Kiev Pechersk Lavra [Kiev Monastery of the Caves]. Russian President honoured the Cross of the Apostle Andrei and laid flowers at the grave of Pyotr Stolypin.