Italian shrine returned to Russian Orthodox Church

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised "centuries of mutual respect" between his country and Italy as he received a symbolic key to a Russian Orthodox church from his Italian counterpart.

"The significance of the transfer of this priceless historic monument is equally important for the citizens of both Russia and Italy," Mr Medvedev said at a ceremony in this southern city of Bari whose Saint Nicholas church holds the relics of the saint, revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

The ceremony was attended by senior clerics from both countries.

Speaking after talks with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano earlier in the day Mr Medvedev said Russia would "strengthen in every possible way" its ties with Italy.

Napolitano praised the significance of the event, calling it a "sign of friendship" which would help promote tolerance in the face of fundamentalism threatening the "conquests of the civilised world".

Pope Benedict XVI sent his greetings in a message read out at the ceremony and new Russian Patriarch Kirill thanked Italy for undertaking a "move of justice".

"What has been lost as a result of the persecutions is now returning to the Russian Church," Patriarch Kirill said in a message read out by a Russian cleric.

Italy agreed to hand over St Nicholas church to Russia during the presidency of Vladimir Putin in 2007.

St Nicholas basilica is a major destination for Russians and other Orthodox Christians. The church was designed by a Russian architect and built in 1913-1917 to satisfy the needs of Russian pilgrims.

Bari mayor Michele Emiliano, who called his city a "gateway to the East", said Italy felt "love and respect" for its "Russian brothers".

After the key transfer ceremony, Mr Medvedev's wife Svetlana, her head covered by a scarf in accordance with Orthodox tradition, lit a candle, while the President crossed himself as he bowed before the church icons.

Residents in this charmingly sleepy town on the southern Adriatic praised the transfer of the church to Russia, saying it would serve to strengthen ties between the two countries.

"We have lost the Russian church but we have gained a friendship," said Maria Antonietta Poli, a high school teacher, who was one of several dozen people who gathered near the church for the occasion.