His Beatitude Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia has arrived Friday morning at the Phanar district of Constantinople where the Ecumenical Patriarchate is headquartered.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinopole to discuss themes of common interest, while the dominant topic of the discussions will be the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
The Patriarch of Moscow is accompanied by the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk.
In his welcome address, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his joy for Patriarch Kirill’s visit to Constantinople.
‘We are happy to welcome here at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, His Beatitude and Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, together with his delegation.’
‘We believe in dialogue, because political leaders try to solve their countries’ problems through dialogue. All the more we, the religious leaders, must use this providential instrument of dialogue to solve the existing issues,’ Patriarch Bartholomew said according to Romfea.
In turn, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church thanked ‘for the occasion to meet Your Holiness and the members of the Holy Synod.’
‘In every age, our churches have encountered problems arising from the outside world, but we always found answers with the help of God, and we knew how to solve these problems,‘ Patriarch Kirill said Friday.
‘You have rightly referred to dialogue and described it in very beautiful words, but I think there is a great difference between the dialogue the politicians carry out and the dialogue we are conduct.’
‘In the dialogue of politicians, each defends his or her country’s interests, but the dialogue within the Church is different, it is spiritual. Although we represent our Churches, we have a mission from God to preserve the unity of the Church,’ added the Patriarch of Moscow.
The two Patriarchs last met in 2016 at the Primates’ Synaxis for the preparation of the Holy and Great Council.
Photo: Igor Palkin / Moscow Patriarchate
