On July 30, 2025, His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, met with Thonglong Sisoulit, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence at the Danilov Monastery in Moscow.  
Welcoming the distinguished guest, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church noted that Laos and Russia, despite their geographical remoteness, are close countries. "There is a lot in common in the philosophy of life of our peoples and in the views on many problems of our time," His Holiness Patriarch Kirill testified.

"You are connected with Russia during your student years: You received your education in Leningrad, my native city, and later worked in the field of developing Russian-Laotian relations, as well as in the field of popularizing the Russian language," His Holiness addressed the President of Laos. 

Today, as head of state, Thonglong Sisulit regularly visits Russia, taking effective steps to develop economic, political, and humanitarian ties between the two countries and peoples.

In 1974, as a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate to the World Council of Churches in Geneva, the future head of the Russian Orthodox Church visited Laos. "At that time, including with my participation, the WCC International Fund for Reconstruction and Reconciliation in Indochina was established," His Holiness mentioned. "The very fact of the creation of this fund, which mobilized the world community to help your country, was very important at that time in terms of developing relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and Laos."

In 2018, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia was established. And recently, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church included Laos in the area of pastoral responsibility of the Patriarchal Exarchate, which included the Diocese of Thailand. "Religious life is actively developing, and from today's perspective, we can very positively assess everything that our representatives from both sides have done," His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noted.

"Since February 2024, Orthodox services have been held regularly in Vientiane, and in March of this year, the Lao side signed the necessary documents for the registration of an Orthodox parish in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. This became possible with your personal participation, for which I thank you," His Holiness Patriarch Kirill addressed the President of Laos.

The visit of the future Patriarch, then Archimandrite Kirill, to Laos in 1974, as well as the creation of the WCC International Foundation for Reconstruction and Reconciliation in Indochina, were very important for the formation of statehood and the further development of the country, President Thonglong Sisulit emphasized in his reply.

"I am glad to see how relations between our countries are developing. The solidarity that the Soviet Union had with Laos at the time of the struggle for your true independence continues today, when Russia also has great respect for everything that happened in your country," His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noted in turn. 

Over the past years, great changes have taken place in Laos aimed at building a more just society, and this contributes to further mutual respect and strengthening ties between the two countries and peoples, the head of the Church added. 

"Orthodox people in Russia have such a saying: God is not in power, but in truth. The truth was on your side: what a terrible force opposed you, but you won. It was a very important signal to the whole world," said the Primate of the Russian Church, expressing hope for further development of relations between the countries and peoples of Russia and Laos. 

Today, Russians and Laotians live in peace and development, the President of Laos emphasized. "When the new Orthodox church of the Moscow Patriarchate in Laos is built, it will become another center for organizing cooperation and solidarity between peoples and believers," added President Thonglong Sisoulit.

"Visiting your country during a difficult time of military operations, meeting with people who then courageously fought against those who wanted to destroy your country, is a very important page in my biography, because I came face to face with the real feat of your people," His Holiness the Patriarch shared.

At the end of the meeting, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presented the President of Laos with the Order of the Russian Orthodox Church of Glory and Honor, First Class. By decree of His Holiness, the President was awarded this award "in consideration of the assistance of the Russian Orthodox Church."