| August 31, 2018 – During a meeting with journalists, which took place at the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, the DECR chairman Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk told them about the meeting of the primates of the Church of Constantinople and the Russian Orthodox Church. The meeting has taken place today at the building of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the Phanar quarter in Istanbul. As Metropolitan Hilarion reported, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, having come to Phanar, venerated the shrines in the Patriarchal Cathedral dedicated to the Holy Protomartyr George, including the relics of Ss Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. At the Patriarchate, the primate of the Russian Church was welcomed by His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew. The first part of the meeting took place in the official format. Present at it were all the members of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. His Holiness Patriarchate Bartholomew greeted the guest after which His Holiness Patriarch Kirill delivered brief remarks in response. Then the two primates withdrew to Patriarch Bartholomew’s office where a confidential private talk took place. Present at this talk, from the Patriarchate of Constantinople, was Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and from the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk. ‘The talk lasted in total about two and a half hours. It was very frank, very cordial; it really was a talk from heart to heart’, the DECR chairman stressed. His Eminence reminded the journalists that Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Kirill met in 1977 and they have a very long and rich history of personal relationships; as far back as before their election to the Patriarchal ministry, they worked much together for achieving a consensus on very diverse topics on the pan-Orthodox agenda. ‘This meeting was important first of all for the strengthening of personal relationships between the two patriarchs and, of course, for strengthening bilateral relations between our two Churches’ the archpastor said, ‘the interlocutors touched upon a wide range of issues including those on the agenda of the bilateral relations, as well as problems of pan-Orthodox unity. The talk, which began in a very sincere atmosphere, ended on a very friendly note, and the patriarchs exchanged gifts’. Metropolitan Hilarion expressed hope that the meeting would become another important event in the already ages-long history of bilateral relations between the two Churches. |
| It is planned that during his visit to the island His Holiness will meet with Fidel Castro and the Chairman of the Republic of Cuba’s State Council Raul Castro and the rehabilitation center for children “Solidarity with Panama”. On Sunday, February 14, His Holiness will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Russian Orthodox church of Our Lady of Kazan in Havana. There will be another important event in Cuba. Because of the intersection of the itineraries of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis of Rome, who will be on a visit to Mexico in the same days, it has been decided to hold a meeting between the heads of the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church on the Freedom Island on February 12. The meeting will take place at Havana’s international airport. The meeting of the Primates of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church has been in preparation for a long time. Throughout the years 1996-97, intensive negotiations were held on the arrangement of a meeting between His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II and Pope John Paul II to be held in Austria, but these negotiations were stopped because of the problems on which the agreement failed. In the first place, it concerned the actions of the Greek Catholics in Ukraine and proselytism of Catholic missionaries in the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate. At the same time, the Supreme Authority of the Russian Orthodox Church has never rejected a possibility itself for such a meeting in the future when the necessary conditions for holding it will be in place. All these years, the principal problem in the relations between the two Churches and the principal obstacle for holding a meeting between the two Primates has lied in Unia . The fact that the Uniates devastated three dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate in western Ukraine in the 1980s and 1990s, that they moved the headquarters of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church from Lvov to Kiev, that the UGCC’ mission extended to the traditionally Orthodox lands in eastern and southern Ukraine, that they supported the schismatics – all these factors only aggravated the problem. The situation aggravated further as a result of the recent events in Ukraine, in which the UGCC representatives took a direct part, coming out with anti-Russian and russophobic slogans. So, regrettably, the problem of Unia is still there, with Unia , remaining a never-healing blooding wound that prevents the full normalization of relations between the two Churches. |
| As Metropolitan Mar Stephanos informed the participants in the meeting, a process had started to include the name of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow in the liturgical calendar of the Malankara Church. Participants of the meeting felt important to note that St. Matrona is considered to be a heavenly patron of the bilateral dialogue between the two Churches. 13. Carrying out projects and joint events dedicated to the history of the bilateral contacts The participants in the meeting mentioned several outstanding figures in the history of the bilateral relations who had done a lot to promote the inter-church dialogue. Such, among others, were Archimandrite Andronik (Yelpidinsky), Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) of Leningrad and Novgorod, Metropolitan Paulose Mar Gregorios (Paul Varghese), and Nikolai Zernov. The Working Group members acknowledged the importance of popularizing their contribution and assisting in preparing and releasing publications about them in Russia and India. 14. Cooperation in the diaspora The Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church take pastoral care of their faithful living beyond their canonical territories and have diocesan and parochial bodies in the diaspora, in particular, in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. As the participants in the meeting pointed out, cooperation between those bodies at the regional level will be useful in providing mutual support on a wide range of issues. 15. Promoting theological talks The history of the bilateral contacts between the two Churches has a rich tradition of theological talks which the Working Group members considered to be of great importance. This experience is be explored and popularized and the talks are to continue in future. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church delegation expressed appreciation to Metropolitan Leonid of Klin and the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate for hosting the second meeting of the Working Group in Moscow. |
| Accept The site uses cookies to help show you the most up-to-date information. By continuing to use the site, you consent to the use of your Metadata and cookies. Cookie policy Address by Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia at the meeting of Russia-Islam Strategic Vision Group On the 19th of May, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus " , who is making a Patriarchal visit to Tatarstan, took part in a meeting of Russia-Islam Strategic Vision Group held at the Kazan City Hall and addressed the audience. Address by Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia at the meeting of Russia-Islam Strategic Vision Group Kazan, 18 th May 2023 Dear Rustam Nurgaliyevich, Dear Muslim religious leaders, dear participants in the forum, I greet you with all my heart, happy to be here with you today, on the blessed Kazan land, and take part in this important meeting. Russia has long-standing relations with the Muslim world. Since the Russia-Islam Strategic Vision Group was set up, the Russian Orthodox Church has been actively engaging in its work. Our meeting takes place in Kazan. The capital of Tatarstan, perhaps like no other place in Russia, is a visual symbol of fruitful cooperation between people of different faiths for the good of their country and nation. In this city, mosques stand next to churches; Muslim and Orthodox theology is flourishing. Here Christians and Muslims work together for the benefit of the entire society. I would like to thank esteemed Rustam Nurgaliyevich Minnikhanov, head of the Republic of Tatarstan, for organising this important event. Traditionally, the head of the Kazan Metropolia acts as representative of the Russian Church in the Russia-Islam Strategic Vision Group. Metropolitan Feofan of blessed memory did much in that capacity, and now his successor, Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan, who is present here, is one of the Group members. As we look at what is going on in the world, we cannot but see that Western interference in the affairs of other countries, in particular, the Middle East has had sorrowful consequences. |
| Accept The site uses cookies to help show you the most up-to-date information. By continuing to use the site, you consent to the use of your Metadata and cookies. Cookie policy Speech by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and representatives of Russia’s religious communities. On 25th October 2023 a meeting took place at the Saint Catherine Hall of the Moscow Kremlin between the Russian President Vladimir Putin and representatives of Russia’s religious communities. Participating in the meeting was His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus " . After the presentation by the Russian President, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the Russian head of state and all those gathered. “Vladimir Vladimirovich, I express my gratitude to you for the initiative of holding this meeting and for the words which you have just addressed to us. This is indeed a much-needed and urgent meeting. I am especially concerned over the many new conflicts which have arisen with renewed force in the eastern mediterranean. The attention of the faithful of the Abrahamic religious traditions has been focused on this region for centuries. Jerusalem was and remains a holy city for both Christians, Jews and Muslims. Palestine and Israel are territories making up the Holy Land where the most important events in world history took place, primarily events directly tied to the encounter between God and the human person. Russia has historically supported the closest ties with the Holy Land, it strives to retain a Russian presence there, the history of which is exceptionally replete with facts and events. The many written testimonies and cultural artifacts point towards the fact that pilgrimage to the Holy Land was one of the most desired and significant events in the life of God-fearing Russian people. It was the securing of the opportunity of visiting the Holy Land for a great number of our compatriots that was one of the main goals of establishing more than 140 years ago by Emperor Alexander III the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society. This organization has undoubtedly made a significant contribution to supporting the Palestinian people, primarily in the educational and social spheres. Schools, homes and hospitals were built, which is to say that great charity work was done aimed at supporting the local population. |
| In our Diocese other memorable days will also be marked this year, perhaps not so noteworthy for all of Russia, but of particular value to us here. We are speaking of the 75th anniversary of the Alexander S Pushkin Russian Church School, attached to St. Nicholas Cathedral in Montreal, and of the 50th anniversary of the Church of the Kazan’ Icon of the Mother of God, in Rawdon, Quebec. The participants in the meeting also extended heartfelt congratulations to their Ruling Bishop, the Most Reverend Vladyka Gabriel, on the 5th anniversary of his appointment to the now united see of Canada. The churching of Russia is unthinkable without constant care for the Orthodox upbringing of the youth, its preservation within the bounds of the Church, which is particularly difficult in the Diaspora. Discussing the work of the Diocesan Youth Committee, the participants in the meeting called upon the flock to support in every way the efforts toward the successful organization of the St. Herman Youth Conferences, and never to forget that precious corner of Canadian Rus’: the Ruskoka Youth Camp, with its beautiful wooden church dedicated to the Royal New Martyr, the Tsarvich Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov. We also hope that the Orthodox youth of the Diocese of Canada will attend the St. Herman’s Conference and, of course, the Ruskoka Camp. We were informed that this year the Church Musicians’ Conference will again be held within the Diocese of Canada, and it is our hope that singers and conductors from our choirs will take part in it. In the course of our discussion of the affairs of the Diocese, Archbishop Gabriel reminded everyone that the restoration of our St Nicholas Cathedral, which had suffered the effects of a destructive fire, is far from complete. The self-sacrificing generosity of its parishioners and well-wishers throughout the Russian Diaspora has permitted us to raise the church building literally from the ruins, but much work remains to be done: in particular, it is essential to repair the outer walls, not to mention the sanctuary and the interior appointments. The collection of funds to help our cathedral has now been taken up by the Diocesan Finance Committee, and this will be set forth in a special appeal. |
| Later, he glanced over at a table near his desk with photos of Turkish President Abdullah Gül and his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras. There were images of a dove and of an olive tree, symbolizing peace between the two often warring cultures. Bartholomew credited Erdoan with improvements in rights for Christians in Turkey and noted that whereas ethnic Greeks once left Turkey in droves, many now are returning, especially because of Greece’s financial turmoil. “We recognize these steps, we express our gratitude to Mr. Erdoan, but we say that it is not enough,” he said. Meeting with Pope In the interview, Bartholomew also said a meeting with Pope Francis in Jerusalem this month will help move the two churches closer to ending their nearly one-thousand-year divide. The meetings between the ecumenical patriarch and the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics on May 25-26 will commemorate the historic visit of their predecessors 50 years ago that launched a dialogue aimed at ending the two churches’ schism in 1054. “We shall say through our meeting and our prayer that it is the intention of both of us to work further for Christian unity and reconciliation,” Bartholomew said. Although the Orthodox and Catholic churches remain estranged on key issues, including married clergy and the centralized power of the Vatican, there have been moves toward closer understanding, beginning with the 1964 meeting between Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem. It was the first encounter between a pope and Orthodox patriarch in more than 500 years. Following the meeting, mutual excommunication edicts were dropped, and a Catholic-Orthodox Joint Declaration of 1965 called for greater harmony. Echoing that declaration, Bartholomew said the road to unity remains long, but that Pope Francis’s acceptance of the invitation to meet in Jerusalem demonstrates that both leaders want to end the divide. “When it will take place, we don’t know; how it will take place, we don’t know. Only God knows,” he said. |
| Accept The site uses cookies to help show you the most up-to-date information. By continuing to use the site, you consent to the use of your Metadata and cookies. Cookie policy Second meeting of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Church is held DECR Communication service, 19.02.2023 On 11-16th of February, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus " and His Holiness Patriarch-Catholicos Abune Mathias of Ethiopia, the second meeting of the Commission for Bilateral Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. From the Moscow Patriarchate side, there were Metropolitan Leonid of Klin, Patriarchal Exarch for Africa, co-chair of the Commission; Hieromonk Stephan (Igumnov), DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations, secretary of the Commission; V. V. Kipshidze,vice-chairman of the Synodal Department for the Church’s Relations with Society and the Media; Deacon Dimitry Serov, director of the Moscow Theological Academy Publishers; S. G. Alferov, a DECR staff member. The Ethiopian side was represented by Archbishop Philipos of South Omo, rector of the Holy Trinity Theological Academy in Addis-Ababa, co-chair of the Commission; Rev. Daniel Sayfemichael, head of the Ethiopian Church Department for External Relations, secretary of the Commission; Archimandrite Uedejesus Sefugalato, deputy chancellor of the Ethiopian Church, dean of the parishes in Addis-Ababa. During the meeting, the Commission reviewed joint projects implemented since its previous meeting in Addis Ababa (January 21-25, 2019) and discussed future plans for collaboration. Today the bilateral dialogue is developing cooperation in a number of topical areas, including: countering Christianophobia; supporting traditional moral values in the modern world; mutual assistance in the pastoral care of believers of the two Churches living in Russia and Ethiopia; coordination of interaction between the two Churches at the level of foreign communities and international venues; contacts in the academic and youth spheres; cooperation in the sphere of church art and production of church tableware; and cooperation in the field of the arts and culture. |
| The meeting resulted in the adoption of a Communiqué, which, in particular, notes the cordial, fraternal atmosphere that prevailed at the meeting, which made it possible to thoroughly consider the issues that arose and to make great strides towards deepening mutual understanding between the Churches. The meeting had enough time to agree on several important points. Thus, in the final Communiqué, the parties stated the following: We find that a more appropriate formulation of our Churches " position on the writings of Theodoret of Cyrus than that articulated in the agreement signed at Chambesy is to support a clear definition of the 13th rule of the Second Council of Constantinople, based on the understanding that his other writings are considered fundamental to the theology of the Orthodox Church. The Consultation agrees that St Cyril of Alexandria " s formula " μα φσις το Θεο Λγου σεσαρκωμνη " , translated in the Second Agreed Statement as " one nature of the incarnate Logos " , would more correctly be translated into English as follows: " one incarnate nature of the Logos " . A valuable highlight of our session was the detailed explanation by the Coptic side of their understanding of the fullness of divinity and humanity in Jesus Christ, including their properties such as will and energy, with a detailed reiteration of the agreed statements already formulated. Holy Theological writings relevant to our topic, such as those of Athanasius of Alexandria, the Cappadocian Fathers, and Cyril of Alexandria, were discussed in detail. In addition, the ideas and writings of Dioscorus of Alexandria, Severus of Antioch, Maximus the Confessor, and John of Damascus were discussed. " The parties agreed to continue discussing Christological issues in the near future, recognising that there are other issues that will be discussed later according to the list approved at the Liévelde meeting. In order to continue the fruitful scientific and theological dialogue, participants of the meeting considered it useful to meet at least once a year and to seek opportunities to discuss various aspects of the dialogue in other formats, including theological conferences. |
| Question: If I have understood you correctly, you are not preparing this meeting as a ceremonial event, but are approaching this meeting by your consultations and resolution of these problems? Metropolitan Hilarion: Absolutely correct. Question: In your opinion, when can a meeting of the Patriarch with the Pope take place? Metropolitan Hilarion: I am not prepared to say either when or where a meeting will take place, because we have not yet discussed this question. I can only say that it will take place when both sides will be ready for it. Question: The Moscow Patriarchate has repeated stated that a meeting of the Patriarch with the Pope cannot take place, in part, because Catholics on the territory of the Russian Federation engage in proselytism, that is, in enticing the Orthodox into Catholicism – although the Catholics themselves categorically deny this. But what is it about Catholic proselytism in the Russian Federation, when the Russian Orthodox Church itself engages in proselytism on non-canonical territory? Metropolitan Hilarion: I should explain by what we mean by proselytism and how it differs from mission. By mission we mean missionary work either among our own faithful or among our potential faithful. That is, those who by their roots belong to our tradition, those who do not belong to other Christian Churches. If we are talking about other Christian Churches with whom we have relations on the level of our relations with the Roman Catholic Church, then targeted missionary activity with the aim of separating individual members from it is proselytism. Therefore, with the Roman Catholic Church we have had for several decades a tacit ban on proselytism. At the official level, both Orthodox and Catholics recognize this, just as at the official level it is recognized that Unia is not a method of achieving unity. Catholic proselytism on Russian territory was a very pressing issue in the beginning of the 1990s. We founded a working group with Russian Catholics to address difficult questions in mutual relations, which was later transformed into a working group on collaboration and cooperation; this group examined specific cases that could be interpreted as proselytism. Therefore, this topic has today largely been removed. We do not engage in proselytism on the canonical territory of other Churches, and expect that other Churches not engage in proselytism on our canonical territory. |
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