Held a meeting of his Holiness Patriarch Kirill and his Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros – the Official portal of the Moscow Patriarchate

20 Nov 2016 03:40

November 19, 2016, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill met with his Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros, who arrived within the Russian Church to participate in celebrations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

the delegation accompanying his Beatitude, Metropolitan Meletios of Carthage, representative of the Patriarch of Alexandria to the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Metropolitan Athanasios of kyrenaika: and Archpriest Athenodorus (Paramreader).

the Russian Orthodox Church in the meeting, which was held at the Patriarchal residence in St. Daniel stavropegic monastery was attended by the Chairman of the Department for external Church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Bishop of Vladikavkaz and Alania Leonid, Deputy Chairman of the DECR Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, DECR Secretary for inter-Orthodox relations Archpriest Igor Yakymchuk, consultant of the Department for external Church relations of Moscow Patriarchate priest Mikhail Asmus, a DECR staff member, priest Anatoly Churyakov.

In his welcoming speech, his Holiness thanked the Primate of the Church of Alexandria and the members of the delegation who arrived to celebrate the significant date for him.

“We are always happy to see You, Your Beatitude, ― His Holiness said. ― We remember Your visit to the Russian Church, and especially the last visit, when You visited the Solovki in Irkutsk, and Ekaterinburg. Have you visited the places where to not been no Primate except the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

Noting that the visit of his Beatitude Theodore was a great joy for many people, his Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill said, “You’re probably the only one of the primates of the local Orthodox Churches, who travels to Russia as a pilgrim, visiting the Holy places. And it shows Your love for Russia, about the fact that You connected with our country, with our people, with our Church from the time of Your service as a representative of the Alexandria Orthodox Church.”

now as head of the Alexandrian Church, which extends its jurisdiction over all Africa, his Beatitude Theodoros has taken many missionary trips to the African continent, His Holiness said, stressing: “And we see the results of this mission: open new branches, create new Archdiocese, the new diocese. This missionary work is not among the Europeans who someone temporarily, someone constantly live on the African continent, and among local residents, which is very valuable.”

“You are the head of the Department of Alexandria, which is historically associated with Greek culture, Greek language, and, of course, with the Orthodox Church, Dating to the first century. But now Your mother see the Department is located on the territory of the Egyptian state, where most people belong to the Arab culture, using the Arabic language, – said his Holiness Patriarch Kirill, addressing the high guest. And, of course, also is a very important dimension of Your Ministry: to preserve the traditions of their Church, being in the minority and by developing good relations with people belonging to another culture and another religion”.

the people of Russia perceive Egypt and its people as a friendly country and friendly people, testified His Holiness. “We thank God that the turbulence that has engulfed the Arab world, including Egypt, for your state passed with less loss, unlike other Arab countries,” ― said his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill. He expressed confidence that successful restoration of good relations between Russia and Egypt will promote the prosperity of the peoples of the two countries. “It is very important that the Alexandrian and Russian Churches play a special role in the relations between our countries and peoples”, ― testified His Holiness.

his Holiness also expressed hope that the near future, when they finally resolved the safety issues between Russia and Egypt, the Russians will be able to travel, visiting this country for vacation and pilgrimage.

“Your Holiness, I want to open heart to Express all my joy at the fact that we are here today… I came from Alexandria to share with You the celebration of Your birthday and sincerely ask Christ to grant You many good years ― said in his turn, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria. ― I didn’t come here for the sense of duty, and at the behest of the heart. God knows how sincerely I assure You of my love, respect and appreciation for the help You render to our Patriarchate, which sometimes is in a difficult position.”

his Beatitude Theodoros shared memories about his first meeting with his Holiness Patriarch Kirill: “the First time we met in 1972 in the theological school Risaliev. I was then a young seminarian, and You, in turn, was a member of the support of Patriarch Pimen, and was accompanied by Metropolitan Yuvenaliy, Metropolitan Pitirim. You stood out among the others ― I pay attention.”

In continuation of the meeting, his Beatitude Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria told about his educational and charitable activities on the African continent. “For the last months I have more than thirty days in Tanzania. Had to travel by foot and paddle down the river in an old boat in order to reach remote towns and villages. Nine o’clock I was in the boat, in order to meet people on the shores of lake Victoria, recalled the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria. But my soul was filled with joy because I felt Your support, like You told me: “Your Beatitude, continue Your missionary service.” On behalf of all the Africans I want to say a huge thank you for the help You have shown us”.

“I’m Your old friend and brother. Our friendship in Christ’s name, and it will remain forever,” ― said his Beatitude the Archbishop, his Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria referred to the new episcopate, based in the geographical center of Africa. “My main dream ― to create the Academy, which will have the opportunity to study theology, young people from across Africa, and to open the printing press, which could print books in 256 languages to simple haven’t had the opportunity to get acquainted with the word of Christ,” admitted His Beatitude.

Talking to his Holiness Patriarch Kirill about the life of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, his Beatitude Theodoros stopped, in particular, on the results of the work completed before the meeting of the Holy Synod, which was attended by bishops from all over Africa.

among other topics, His Beatitude also referred to the recent meeting with the delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate who made pilgrimages to the ancient Christian shrines of Egypt. This pilgrimage was organized in the context of the development of the dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church in the framework of the relevant bilateral Commission.

In the course of conversation it developed the discussion topics, were also discussed issues of bilateral relations and pan-Orthodox cooperation.

after the meeting, his Beatitude Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria gave the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church a Bishop’s mitre.

Memorial gift high guests became liturgical vestments, made by the Greek model, and deviation collected works of his Holiness Patriarch Kirill. Books of His Holiness and the Bishop’s staff was presented to the Meletios Metropolitan of Carthage and Metropolitan of the Kirinskoye Athanasius, Archpriest Athenodorus (Paramreader) received the memorial cross.

DECR communication Service/patriarhiei