Primates of Serbia and Russia Erinei and Kiril met

Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church met with His Holiness Patriarch Serbian Iriney Предстоятель Русской Православной Церкви встретился со Святейшим Патриархом Сербским Иринеем print version January 29, 2019 19:16 On January 29, 2019, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church at the Patriarchal and Synodal residence in the Danilov Stavropegic Monastery . Patriarch of the Holy Cross Secretary of the Serbian Patriarch Iriney Dejan Nakic. On the part of the Russian Orthodox Church, the meeting was attended by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk , Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia , Metropolitan of Singapore and Southeast Asia , Bishop Andrey of Ostrogozhsk and Rossoshansky , Archpriest Nikolai Balashov , Vice-President of the Dvor Russian Orthodox Church, and the Priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, who participated in the meeting. Vitaly Tarasiev, DECR Secretary for Inter-Orthodox Relations, Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, DECR staff member A.Yu. Hoshev His Holiness cordially welcomed His Holiness Patriarch Irenaeus, who arrived in Moscow for the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Primate's Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill. His Holiness Vladyka also emphasized that this year the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the 800th anniversary of autocephality, and in 2020 the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate. “These outstanding dates mark the respectable antiquity of church institutions that have been formed on the Serbian land. In connection with the upcoming anniversary, we will also discuss further joint efforts to decorate the cathedral in honor of the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, St. Sava, ”said Patriarch Kirill. The archpastor also noted the significant role of the Compound - the Serbian Orthodox Church in Moscow and the Russian Orthodox Church in Belgrade - which, according to him, are very important links. “I would like to thank Vladyka Anthony Moravichsky for his ministry as your high representative in Moscow. We also know that you are showing fatherly concern for the Compound of the Russian Orthodox Church in Belgrade, and is glad to see our representative here, ”said His Holiness. Referring to the position of the Orthodox Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, Patriarch Kirill expressed concern about the growing aggressiveness of extremist forces towards the Serbian population. “We always pray for our brothers and sisters in Kosovo and Metohija,” said His Holiness. “We know that Kosovo and Metohija play a very special historical and spiritual role in the life of the Serbian people, and we understand how difficult it is for everyone who knows the history of Serbia, the Serbian Church to perceive the negative things that are happening in these lands now. But the Lord conducts our Churches through trials and, perhaps, this is why you, like no one else, understand well our pain regarding what is happening in Ukraine. ” According to the Primate of the Russian Church, these events can be called links of a single chain, for these are “attempts through divisive tendencies to weaken the power of Universal Orthodoxy.” “Of course, in this case we are talking, first of all, about the Russian Church, which today suffers greatly from a split in Ukraine. And, of course, it is important that what is happening in Kosovo and Metohija never lead to a breakdown of the spiritual connection of Serbia, the Serbian Church with these lands, which have always been an integral part of it, ”stated His Holiness. “Our Churches, with certain differences - in geography, location, and history - have a lot in common. First of all, it is a host of martyrs that adorn both the Russian and Serbian Churches. Our martyrs have always been faithful to Orthodoxy, have always given their lives for the Church and left us a covenant to be faithful to church unity, to observe the purity of Orthodoxy and to do everything so that no hostile winds could destroy the unity of the Orthodox Church today, ”Patriarch Kirill concluded. In turn, His Holiness Patriarch Iriney thanked the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church for the invitation to the celebrations. “From our Church and our people we express our best wishes to you for a long time to remain on the throne of the Moscow Patriarchs,” said the distinguished guest. - You are leading the Russian people on the path of God, for the glory of God and for good, for the good of Universal Orthodoxy. You are at the head of a powerful Church and Orthodox people, who in their history have passed through many temptations. You are a prime example and we strive to follow in your footsteps. ” The head of the Serbian Church also expressed deep gratitude for the assistance that the Russian Orthodox Church has always provided to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people. “Throughout history, our two peoples expressed closeness to one another. We are not only friends, we are the blood of the people of our country with one faith, one Church, and this has manifested itself throughout our history, ”testified His Holiness Patriarch Irenaeus. “I thank your Holiness for keeping a close eye on the events in Kosovo and Metohija. Today, what is happening in Kosovo and Metohija represents our great wound, ”Patriarch Irenaeus continued. - For us, Kosovo is a holy land that is saturated with our blood when we defended our shrines during the times of the Ottoman Empire and other circumstances. All that is of great importance in our history, our culture - the roots of this are in Kosovo and Metohija. This is the place of our glorious history. And many saints shone on this very earth. We are doing our best to defend against these attacks. We place great hopes on big brotherly Russia, and on you, Your Holiness. We hope that thanks to your contribution we will be able to protect Kosovo and Metohija. ” Patriarch Iriney also voiced the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church regarding the church crisis in Ukraine. “This is a great temptation for Orthodoxy, this is a phenomenon that has its place in our house, inside it,” stressed the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church. “Unfortunately, this is not a canonical or ecclesiastical question, but a purely political one, but Universal Orthodoxy must take it very seriously. Being in Moscow is a good reason to exchange opinions, to talk about what we should do next. We dare not close our eyes to such a question and problem. And we will offer prayers that the Lord God will remove this temptation in His Church. ” At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged gifts.