Russian President Vladimir Putin today called on the church to work with the state to defend "traditional values". <br/><br/>The visit, hailed by Patriarch Kirill as a "historic event", comes some three months before the presidential election in March in which Putin is widely expected to run and win a fourth term.<br/>' <br/>Putin said in a speech to hundreds of top Russian Orthodox clerics from around the world that we are seeing today how traditional values are being eroded in many countries, which leads to degradation, alienation in society, depersonalisation of people.<br/>'<br/>The congress of bishops is a top decision-making body of the Russian Orthodox Church, which convenes at least every four years and votes on key issues, including choosing the patriarch. Most Russians consider themselves Orthodox, though few regularly practise.<br/>'<br/>''''<br/>