1.   The Russian patriarch, Aleksei II, has often complained that Catholics throughout the former Soviet Union are seeking to convert Orthodox believers to Catholicism.

2.   Ukraine has three Orthodox churches, and the largest is loyal to the Russian patriarch in Moscow.

3.   In a show of appreciation, Milosevic also made a rare public appearance after his meeting with the Russian patriarch, and praised his guest.

4.   Russian patriarch visits Belgrade to pray for peace and the dead.

5.   Russian patriarch says time not right for meeting with pope.

6.   The pope was hoping to meet with the Russian patriarch in Hungary, but the patriarch declined the invitation.

7.   The Russian patriarch, Alexy II, mentioned the plight of refugees during a visit to Belgrade last month.