Bishop of the Church of Cyprus visits Moscow

Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria, director of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus's office for inter-church relations and European affairs, who is in Moscow for the 5th International Pilgrimage Conference, visited on November 26 the Moscow Patriarchate's department for external church relations. He was received by Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice-chairman, on behalf of the DECR chairman, Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk.

In a cordial and friendly talk they discussed cooperation between the two Local Churches in their common witness to Orthodoxy in Europe, as well as topical themes concerning bilateral and inter-Orthodox relations. They also exchanged information about the positions of their Churches with regard to the settlement of the Cyprus problem. Special emphasis was made on the importance of developing pilgrimage programs aimed to strengthen close ties between the two Churches and friendship among Orthodox nations.

Present at the meeting were Mr. Papadopoulos and Mr. Philopheou who accompanied His Grace Gregorios on his trip and A.Nazarenko of the DECR secretariat for inter-Orthodox relations.

Father Nikolay handed over to Bishop Gregorios tokens from the chairman of the department for external church relations.

Source: DECR Communication Service