His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Visits the Easter Reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Visits the Easter Reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia ril 17, 2018 20:49 On April 17, 2018 in the Great Mansion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation a solemn reception was held on the occasion of the Easter holiday, in which religious figures, heads of foreign diplomatic missions, Russian and foreign diplomats took part. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia attended the festive meeting. The primate of the Russian Orthodox Church was met by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, S.V. Lavrov. From the Russian Orthodox Church, the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, the first vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in Moscow, Metropolitan of Istra Arseny, head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate Archbishop of Solnechnogorsk Sergiy, chairman of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement bodies archpriest Sergiy Privalov, chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with the society and the media. Legoeda, deputy chairmen of the DECR, Protopriest Nikolai Balashov and Archimandrite Filaret (Bulekov), clergymen and employees of the Department for External Church Relations. Ceremonial reception on the occasion of the Passover was attended by representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches under the Moscow Patriarchal Throne: Alexandria - Metropolitan of Afanasiy of Chirin, Antiochian - Metropolitan of Filippopol Nifon, of Jerusalem - Archimandrite Stefan (Dispirakis), Serbian - Bishop of Moravichi Anthony, Bulgarian - Archimandrite Feoktist (Dimitrov) The Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia - Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemiatovsky), the Orthodox Church in America - Archpriest Daniel (Andrejuk). At the festive meeting, Easter chants were performed by the Moscow Synodal Choir. The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry welcomed all those gathered in the White Hall of the House of Foreign Affairs receptions, noting in particular: "At all times, the Russian Orthodox Church has been together with its flock, shared the fate of Russia, inspired people to exploit in the name of defending the Fatherland, helped them survive in years severe tests. Today, the Church makes a significant contribution to the search for optimal solutions to topical issues on the all-Russian agenda, the maintenance of civil peace and harmony, the consolidation of society around the imperishable spiritual and moral values, builds useful social and educational work, does much to strengthen the family institution, educate the younger generation in the spirit of Christian ideals ". "Such selfless work today is all the more in demand, as the situation in the world becomes more chaotic and less predictable," continued S.V. Lavrov. - In a number of Western countries, a dangerous and at the same time shameful tendency to abandon their own spiritual and civilizational roots is growing. And the main criteria of human life, as you, Your Holiness, noted in your Easter message, comfort and success are declared. The fundamental principles of morality and morality are being questioned. Such a line is not only vicious, but also anti-democratic, because it is being instigated by an aggressive minority against the will of the overwhelming majority of citizens. " The minister recalled that the forcible "export" of pseudo-liberal values ​​coupled with flirting with radicals, the division of terrorists into "bad" and "good" led to chaos and anarchy in the vast expanses of the Middle East - the "cradle" of Christianity. Of particular concern is the situation around Syria, S. Lavrov stressed. "In the difficult conditions, the active peacemaking activity of your Holiness, including your recent contacts with the Pope of Rome, as well as the heads of the Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem Orthodox Churches, is widely recognized," said the head of the Russian foreign ministry, addressing His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to Cyril. Referring to other hotbeds of tension in the world, the Foreign Minister highlighted the situation in Ukraine. "I would like to take this opportunity to once again acknowledge the role of your Holiness in resolving acute humanitarian issues related to the troubles that have affected this country close to us," he said, in particular. In continuation of his speech, S.V. Lavrov stated that domestic diplomacy continues to do its utmost to uphold the rights of Christians and other traditional denominations. "We are ready to further build up a multi-faceted partnership with the Russian Orthodox Church, close interaction with other traditional religions of Russia with a view to promoting an honest, harmonious, future-oriented international agenda," stressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Turning to those present with the First-Hierarchal Word, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated everyone on the Bright Resurrection of Christ. "Having appeared on the Resurrection to His apostles, the Lord welcomed them with a desire for peace (John 20:19). Maintaining peace, good-neighborliness between peoples is one of the most important tasks of state, public and religious institutions, all people of goodwill. In these Easter days, the Church once again calls for leaving strife and division aside, sharing with others and others warmth and care, "- said His Holiness. Pointing out that the world around him is full of contradictions, and the society remains vulnerable to numerous challenges and threats, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, among the main problems of the modern world, noted terrorism, including under the cover of religious slogans, persecution of religious communities, primarily Christians, the destruction of moral guidelines and the institution of the family. In this difficult time, the dialogue and co-operation of the Orthodox Churches show the world the unity of Orthodoxy, the common commitment to the Gospel teaching, His Holiness the Patriarch reminded. He told about the main events in the sphere of inter-Orthodox relations in recent months. An important topic of the speech of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was the situation in the Middle East in connection with the recent missile attack on the Syrian territory. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church stressed: "In recent days the whole world has witnessed a serious aggravation of the international situation around Syria. Torn apart for several years, the war with terrorist gangs of Syria on the night of Friday to Saturday was subjected to rocket fire from the three Western states. There was a threat of a serious global clash of world powers. Assessing the events, we first of all focus on the testimonies of the Churches carrying their ministry in the suffering region. Immediately after the bombardment of the three Syrian Patriarchs - His Beatitude Patriarch of Antioch and all of the East, John X, Patriarch of Melkite Youssef I Absi and Syro-Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Ephraim II - issued a statement ; in it they called the bombing of their country a brutal and unjust aggression that "destroys the chances of a peaceful political solution and leads to an escalation of violence and further complications," and "encourages terrorist organizations and gives them the impetus to continue their barbaric actions." The Russian Orthodox Church can not remain indifferent to the suffering of people in the Middle East, to the extermination of the oldest Christian communities that are leading their history from evangelical times, to irresponsible actions that could lead to a worldwide catastrophe. That is why I found it necessary on Saturday to immediately contact Pope Francis and all Orthodox Patriarchs of the Middle East - Constantinople Bartholomew, Alexandria Theodore, Antioch John and Jerusalem Theophilos. On my instructions the same evening, the DECR chairman Metropolitan Hilarion phoned with the priests of the Syro-Yakovite and Coptic Churches. All those with whom the talks were held unite concern about the terrible danger that is looming over the region and over the world as a result of the lack of coordination between the nuclear powers. To resolve the situation, a responsible dialogue of all political and social forces is needed. We agreed to continue consultations and agreed that Christians should do everything in their power to contribute to the immediate cessation of violence and war in Syria and the establishment of lasting peace in the Middle East. "