Patriarch Kirill told television journalists on Monday that he has no friends and never gets a day off, Interfax reported.
"The patriarch cannot have friends; he has his flock, and friendship in the everyday sense is practically impossible because he spends all his energy on being a pastor," the head of the Russian Orthodox Church said in an interview with Moldovan, Romanian and Russian television channels in Chisinau, Moldova, the report said.
"Solitude will accompany me to the end of my days as patriarch, just as it did all my predecessors."
The patriarch said he never has a chance to relax, tackling the papers that pile up on his desk when he's not traveling or holding meetings. "I have to read up to 300 pages per day," he said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
