Vladimr Putin wins backing of Russia's religious leaders

MOSCOW (AFP)---Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has received the backing of Russia's powerful Orthodox Church, its chief rabbi and top Islamic leader as he seeks a return to the presidency next month.

Ruski premijer Vladimir Putin je dobio podršku od močne Pravoslavne ( ortodoksne) crkve, glavnog rabina i glavnog islamskog vođe- u nastojanju da se vrati na predsjedništvo slijedeći mjesec.

Putin se susreo sa tri vjerska lidera u srijedu, kao posljednji od serije susreta sa vodećim kulturnim i javnim osobama, prije glasovanja 4 ožujka.

"I would like to thank you. You once said that you are working as a slave in the galley," Patriarch Kirill said at the meeting.

"But with the only difference being that a slave lacked the degree of commitment to work that you have," Kirill said in comments posted on Putin's campaign website.

"Thanks to the Almighty, the country has been saved from ruin," added Russia's Chief Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin. "And one must add -- with your direct involvement!"

Chief Rabbi Berl Lazar for his part thanked Putin "for everything you have done for Jews.

Glavni rabin Berl Izrael je sa svoje strane zahvalio Putinu " za sve što ste učinili za Židove"...