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Old Saint Basil's Cathedral in MoscowJohnson's Russia List title and scenes of Saint Petersburg
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Medvedev, Wife Visit Head Of Russian Orthodox Church

MOSCOW. Feb 23 (Interfax) - Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who will contest the office of president in a March 2 election, and his wife Svetlana Medvedeva, visited the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II, on Saturday to wish him a happy birthday.

"We wish you a happy birthday, a happy Fatherland Defender Day and a happy name day, which is upcoming," Medvedev told Alexy.

Medvedev also wished the patriarch "all the best, energy and good health."

Fatherland Defender Day is a Russian public holiday observed on February 23 which celebrates the country's armed forces.

Medvedev and his wife gave the patriarch presents that included a bunch of white roses.

"I would also like to wish you a happy Fatherland Defender Day, it is everyone's holiday," Alexy said.

"One can defend one's country in the state service, in the spiritual sphere and in the military profession," the church leader said.

"It is everyone's duty to defend their country with their work."

"Defending our fatherland has never been a task more important," said Medvedev.

"The international situation is unstable, but Russia has acquired resources to strengthen its defense capability."

"The stronger we get the larger the numbers of those who envy us," said Alexy.

"That is a law of life, but it's still better to be strong," Medvedev responded.