“It was a very special moment. Entering the church, the president exclaimed “What a white church!”, the correspondent of the newspaper ‘Svetdienas Rits’ was told about the president’s visit by the bishop of the diocese of Daugavpils Einars Alpe. Representatives of the congregation presented the history of the parish and the church to the head of state. In addition, Bishop Alpe told about the diocese and Lutheran Youth Days that took place in Cesis at the end of August. At the conclusion of the half-an-hour meeting, the president wrote a wish in the visitors’ book and wished perseverance and continuation of strengthening the cooperation with Christians of other denominations.   

“Here, in Daugavpils, the churches of all the denominations are nearby to each other. The president and I agreed that it would be good if the denominations were as close as that and cooperated successfully,” said Bishop Einars Alpe.

At Daugavpils Ss Boris and Gleb Orthodox Cathedral, president Valdis Zatlers met with Metropolitan Alexander of Riga and All Latvia, Bishop Alexander of Daugavpils and representatives of the Orthodox Church of Latvia. Besides, he visited the Roman Catholic church of Immaculate Conception of Virgin Maria and met with the Catholic priests of Daugavpils. During his meetings with the congregations of Old-believers, Orthodox believers and Lutherans, the president of Latvia emphasized the importance of religious organisations and their contribution to the development of society, tackling social problems, as well as establishing and encouraging human values in the society.

From the right: President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers, the Bishop of the diocese of Daugavpils Einars Alpe, Lilita Zatlere and the Mayoress of Daugavpils Rita Strode.

Translation: Liga Treija