| Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk expresses concern over sufferings of Christians in Syria during the meeting with representatives of Syrian opposition On 5 February 2014, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, received representatives of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.The meeting took place at the request of the representatives of the Syrian opposition, who visited Moscow on 3-5 February 2014. Taking part in the meeting were Mr. Michel Kilo, member of the Political Committee of the National Coalition; Mr. Salah Darwish, member of the Kurdish National Council; Mr. Burhan Ghalioun, former chairman of the Syrian National Council; Mr. Mohammad Farouk Tayfour, deputy chairman of the National Coalition; and Mr. Badr Jamous, secretary general of the National Coalition. Representing the DECR at the meeting were archpriest Sergiy Zvonarev, secretary for far abroad countries; Rev. Dimitry Safonov, head of the sector for inter-religious contacts; and Mr. Miguel Palacio and Ms. Olga Mazur. As Metropolitan Hilarion noted, the fate of the Christian population of Syria causes particular concern. “We are deeply worried over the radicalism which leads to numerous deaths, to the abduction of Christians and destruction of Christian churches. We see the full-scale persecution of Christians in Syria. Many Christians had to leave the country, many have been displaced within Syria. What is going on is a humanitarian catastrophe of the enormous scale,” the DECR chairman said Metropolitan Hilarion emphasizes that the whereabouts of two Christian hierarchs, Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo and Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, abducted last April, remain unknown. The DECR chairman also noted that the mother superior and sisters of the Convent of St Thecla in Maaloula, abducted in December 2013, have not been released. Source: DECR Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. |
| Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk meets vice-chairman of Cuba’s government admin 24 October 2013 October 24, 2013 October 24, 2013 – Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, met with the vice-chairman of the Cuban Council of Ministers, Mr. Ricardo Cabrisas. Present at the meeting were also Cuban Ambassador to Russia His Excellency Emilio Lozada Garcia and Miguel Palacio of the DECR secretariat for the far-abroad countries. Metropolitan Hilarion warmly welcomed his guest, noting the traditionally high level of relations between Cuba and the Moscow Patriarchate. “The peoples of Russia and Cuba are tied by the bonds of old and strong friendship”, he said. Among the significant events in the Russian-Cuban relations, he said, was the opening of a church of Our Lady of Kazan in 2008 in Havana. The consecration of this church was led in October 2008 by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad (now His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia). “Today the church of Our Lady of Kazan is also a spiritual and cultural center as the parish conducts various events allowing Cubans to get a better knowledge of Russia”, the metropolitan said. Mr. Ricardo Cabrisas, on his part, thanked Metropolitan Hilarion for the meeting and conveyed best regards to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. The vice-chairman of the Cuban government expressed the invariable willingness of the authorities of his country to develop cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church. Source: DECR Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk meets vice-chairman of Cuba’s government admin October 24, 2013 October 24, 2013 – Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, met with the vice-chairman of the Cuban Council of Ministers, Mr. Ricardo Cabrisas. Present at the meeting were also Cuban Ambassador to Russia His ... Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. |
| Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk Meets with Ambassador of France to Russia admin 05 December 2012 On 3 December 2012, at the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, the DECR chairman, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, met with H.E. Mr. Jean de Gliniasti, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Russian Federation. Participating in the meeting were also archpriest Sergiy Zvonarev, DECR secretary for far abroad countries; Mr. Miguel Palacio, a DECR staff member; and Mr. Nicolas de Lacoste, first counselor of the French embassy. Metropolitan Hilarion warmly greeted the French diplomat and told him about the inter-religious situation in Russia and the relationships between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Roman Catholic Church. The participants in the meeting discussed the role of traditional moral values in the European Union countries and the situation of Christian communities in the Middle East and North Africa. Source: Official Website of the Department for External Church Relations Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk Meets with Ambassador of France to Russia admin On 3 December 2012, at the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, the DECR chairman, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, met with H.E. Mr. Jean de Gliniasti, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Russian Federation. Participating in ... Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. |
| Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk meets with new Latvian ambassador to Russia admin 23 October 2013 October 22, 2013 On 22 October 2013, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), met with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Russian Federation, H. E. Astra Kurme. They were joined in the meeting, which took place at the DECR premises, by archpriest Sergy Zvonarev, DECR secretary for far abroad countries, Miguel Palacio, a DECR staff member, and Mr. Klvs Sniedze, counsellor of the Embassy of Latvia in Russia. Metropolitan Hilarion greeted the guests and congratulated Ambassador Kurme with her new appointment. He expressed his hope for the development of cooperation between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Latvian diplomatic mission in Moscow and told her about the ministry of the Russian Orthodox Church in the countries in its canonical territory. Discussed was the situation of the Russian-speaking people in Latvia. Metropolitan Hilarion hopes that the state would treat this part of the Latvian population with a greater understanding. Metropolitan Hilarion shared with Ambassador Kurme the Russian Orthodox Church’s concern for the moral situation in European society. He said that the recognition of homosexual relationships as equal to married couples seriously threatens the institution of marriage. Source: DECR Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk meets with new Latvian ambassador to Russia admin October 22, 2013 On 22 October 2013, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), met with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Russian Federation, H. E ... Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. |
| Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk meets with Pope Francis of Rome March 20, 2013 On 20 March 2013, Pope Francis of Rome met with Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR). The meeting took place at the premises of Vatican Secretariat of State. At the beginning of the meeting, the DECR chairman conveyed to Pope Francis warm greetings and gratitude for prayers from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and noted that the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church had closely followed the process of election and enthronement. Metropolitan Hilarion presented the Pope with Patriarch Kirill’s book “Freedom and Responsibility” in the Spanish language. Pope Francis conveyed his sincere best wishes to the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Hilarion told Pope Francis about life and ministry of the Russian Orthodox Church and expressed his hope that good strides in the development of relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church made during the pontificate of Benedict XVI would be ensured. The DECR chairman added that the Moscow Patriarchate attached great importance to the development of relations with the Catholic Church, particularly in the field of social ministry, aid to the poor and the destitute, and protection of the persecuted. Metropolitan Hilarion also told the Pope about the problems still existing between the two Churches and expressed his hope for finding ways to their solution during the new pontificate. In conclusion of the meeting, the DECR chairman handed a gift from Patriarch Kirill, an icon of the Mother of God, called ‘Look Down with Favour on My Lowliness’, to Pope Francis, noting that “the first steps of Your Holiness after the election were marked by lowliness and humility.” Pope Francis replied that he lacked humility and asked for prayers to the Lord to grant it to him. The talk was held in the Russian and Spanish languages and was translated by Miguel Palacio, a DECR staff member. |
| Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk meets with Pope Francis Source: DECR Natalya Mihailova 16 June 2015 On 14-15 June 2015, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), paid a working visit to Rome with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Photo: https://mospat.ru/ In the evening of June 14, Metropolitan Hilarion met with Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. They discussed various aspects of cooperation between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Holy See. Taking part in the meeting was Fr. Hyacinthe Destivelle, a staff member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Photo: https://mospat.ru/ On June 15, Metropolitan Hilarion was received by Pope Frances at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican. Metropolitan Hilarion conveyed greetings of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Discussed at the meeting were many issues including the dire situation facing Christian population in the Middle East and North Africa, the necessity of common actions in defence of traditional understanding of the family in modern society, and cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church in the sphere of culture. Photo: https://mospat.ru/ After the audience Metropolitan Hilarion introduced his suite to the Pope that includes archimandrite Antony (Servryuk), secretary of the administration of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in Italy, and Mr. Miguel Palacio, a staff member of the DECR secretariat for far abroad countries. Pope Francis gave Metropolitan Hilarion and members of the Russian Church delegation a medal of his pontificate. The DECR chairman presented the head of the Roman Catholic Church a copy of the old Russian icon of the Saviour painted by protodeacon Alexy Trunin, a cleric of the Moscow church dedicated to the ‘Joy of All the Afflicted’ icon of the Mother of God. |
| Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk meets with students of Higher Diplomatic Courses Source: DECR Natalya Mihailova 11 April 2016 On 6 April 2016, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, met with students of the Higher Diplomatic Courses of the Diplomatic Academy of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Photo: Photo by S. Vlasov, Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia/ G. Kalin, Diplomatic Academy of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taking part in the meeting were Russia’s newly appointed ambassadors, consuls general and envoys, as well as staff members of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Academy. The Department for External Church Relations was also represented by Mr. Miguel Palacio, a staff member of the Secretariat for Far-Abroad Countries. Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk told all those present about the external activities of the Russian Orthodox Church. Having raised the topic of inter-Orthodox relations, he spoke on the preparation of the Pan-Orthodox Council, due to take place in the island of Crete in June 2016. Six following documents were drafted to be discussed at the Council: “The Sacrament of Marriage and Its Impediments,” “The Importance of Fasting and Its Observance Today,” “The Relations of the Orthodox Church with the Rest of the Christian World,” “Autonomy and the Means of Proclaiming It,” “The Mission of the Orthodox Church in Today’s World,” and “The Orthodox Diaspora.” Speaking on how Orthodoxy is present in various countries, Metropolitan Hilarion emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian embassies and consulates, as well as with the Rossotrudnichestvo centers and the Russian World Foundation. During the meeting, the DECR chairman mentioned that the work was being carried out to prepare the celebrations marking the millennium of Russian monasticism on Mount Athos. |
| Patriarch Kirill meets with Colombia’s ambassador to Russia Source: DECR Natalya Mihailova 11 March 2017 On March 10, 2017, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with Colombia’s Ambassador to Russia H. E. Alfonso Lopez Caballero, at the Patriarchal residence in the St. Daniel Monastery. Photo: https://mospat.ru The meeting was attended by Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR), and Miguel Palacio, DECR secretariat for the far abroad. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church warmly welcomed the ambassador, noting in particular that as far back as the early 19 th century the events in that country – the struggle for independence, declaration of Great Colombia, activities of Simon Bolivar and others – provoked genuine interest and great sympathy in the Russian society. ‘Speaking about the modern times, I consider the cultural relations existing between our two countries to be very important. I believe it would be desirable to develop them’, His Holiness said. He cited the exchange of exhibitions in the early 2000s, when a collection of 30 canvases painted by Gregorio Vasquez Ceballos (1638-1711) on religious subjects was presented at the Church of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, while an exhibition of Russian icons from the Tretyakov Gallery collection took place in Colombia. Such contacts, His Holiness said, arouse mutual interests and sympathy. Patriarch Kirill also shared some memories of his visit to Colombia in 2008, when he occupied the post of chairman of the Moscow Patriarch department for external church relations. ‘At that time I met for the first time with the Russian community in Bogota and celebrated the Liturgy at the Russian trade representation’, he related, ‘Then it was decided to establish a parish of the Moscow Patriarchate; a warden was elected; and in 2009 the parish was registered. At present, there are two Orthodox parishes in Colombia, in Bogota and Cali.’ |
| Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church meets with President of Ecuador admin 31 October 2013 October 30, 2013 On 29 October 2013, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with the President of Ecuador, H. E. Rafael Correa. They were joined in the meeting, which took place at the Patriarchal resident in St. Daniel’s Monastery, by Minister Ricardo Patiño of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration; Ms Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Minister of National Defense; ministers Rafael Poveda Bonilla, Guillaume Long, Richard Espinosa, National secretary for planning and development Pabel Muñoz ; and H.E. Chávez Závala, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Ecuador to the Russian Federation. The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by archpriest Sergiy Zvonarev, secretary for far abroad countries of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, and Mr. Miguel Palacio, a DECR staff member. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church greeted the high guests and mentioned his previous meetings with President Correa that took place in Ecuador in 2088 and in Moscow in 2009. “Your ideas are close to us as well as your policy of promoting a socially-oriented economy, His Holiness said. –It is impossible to develop economy for its own sake, or for a few people to use its benefits. Such an attitude to economic development is unacceptable from the Christian point of View. The results of economic development must be available to all people. The task of the state is to smooth economic disproportions and achieve social justice. I believe that the support given to this policy by the people of Ecuador manifests their deep Christian culture and morals. I am confident that this should concern not only national, but also international economy. It is quite evident that the establishment of a just global economic order should be a priority for the international community.” His Holiness underscored that the world economic crisis is based on the crisis of human personality, as a wish to have more money by all costs prompts people to create an unsustainable economic model. |
| “American Indians may become the largest ethnic group in the American Orthodox Church.” An interview with His Beatitude Jonah, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada In early December of 2009, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah of All America and Canada (Orthodox Church of America) visited Russia to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the OCA’s representation in Moscow. Correspondent Miguel Palacio took the opportunity to talk with Metropolitan Jonah about the OCA’s presence in Latin America. – Your Beatitude, in which Latin America countries is the Orthodox Church in America represented? – Our jurisdiction extends to Mexico. We used to have parishes in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela as well, but one of them joined the Russian Church Abroad, while others simply closed. Several communities in Latin America want to join the American Orthodox Church. We would be happy to receive these faithful people, but there would be no one to take care of them because we have very few clergymen who speak Spanish or Portuguese. One priest, who I hope will soon become a bishop, began a mission in Ecuador, in the city of Guayaquil, where there is a large Palestinian colony. Unfortunately, his good initiative has fizzled out. I have heard that many Palestinians also live in Central American countries, one of which is El Salvador. It is curious, but they do not go to the Antiochian parishes, and are requesting to be received under our omophorion. The Constantinople and Antiochian Patriarchates prefer to pastor the Greek and Arab diasporas. We do not understand this. The Church should give pastoral care first of all to its local spiritual children. This is our principle in the Orthodox Church in America. – When was the Mexican exarchate organized? – The Mexican exarchate has existed since the 1970’s. At that time, the Bishop of the Mexican national Old Catholic Church, Jose (Cortez-y-Olmos), strengthened contact with our Church and became Orthodox, together with his entire community. Thanks to his labors, hundreds of Mexicans have become immersed in the Orthodox Faith. |
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