Patriarch Kirill attends a meeting of the CIS Interreligious Council

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, during his primatial visit to Azerbaijan, attended a meeting of the CIS Interreligious Council, which took place on 25 April 2010 at the Caucasus Muslim Board. Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshuqur Pasha-zade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslim Board, made introductory remarks. The participants honoured with a silence minute the memory of the late Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia.

This was followed by Patriarch Kirill's address.

Rev. George Roschin, deputy head of the synodal department for church-state relations, informed the Council about the preparations for the World Summit of Religious Leaders to take place on Monday. He said over 150 participants from 35 countries had already come for the Baku Summit.

Patriarch Kirill introduced to the participants Archbishop Alexander of Astana and Alma-Ata as a new member of the CIS Interreligious Council presidium, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, head of the synodal department for church-society relations, as a new head of the CIS Interreligious Council executive committee, and Rev. George Roschin as secretary coordinator of the CIS Interreligious Council.

The participants considered a number of questions concerning the work of the Council. It was proposed to establish a Patrons Board for raising funds necessary to implement the Council's initiatives and to carry out its activities. Patriarch Kirill also underlined the importance for the Council to give rapid reaction to urgent developments in the life of society.

His Holiness also proposed that the CIS Interreligous Council hold its meetings at least once a year.

DECR Communication Service