Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia received delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church

Holy Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia received a delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church on February 3, 2009. The delegation led by Metropolitan Amfilohije of the Montenegro and the Littoral consisted of Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje, Bishop Vasilije of Zvornik and Tuzla, a representative of the SOC at the Moscow Patriarchate vicar Bishop Antonije of Moravica, the administrator of the Pordvorye of the Moscow Patriarchate in Belgrade Vitaly Tarasjev and presbyter Nebojsa Topolic, an officer of the Serbian Patriarchate.

This meeting was attended by  Mark of Yegorievsk, the vice president of the Department for External Church Relations оf the MP and presbyter Nikolai Balashev, the secretary of Inter-Orthodox Relations in the Department for External Church Relations оf the Moscow Patriarchate.

His Holiness said that the presence of the Serbian Orthodox Church at celebrations is a live example of good relation of Serbian people towards the Russian Church and people. 

He also expressed the full support of the Russian Church to the Serbian Church and in its problems in Montenegro while his discussion with Metropolitan Amfilohije. He also stated he disapproved involving politics in life of the Church.

His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije in friendly talks with the president Medvedev pointed out the importance of brotherly relations of twopeoples and Churches, and he especially thanked for the unselfish support and care of the Russian Federation for defending the integrity of  Serbia and for the Serbian people and Church in Kosovo and Metohija. At the end of the talks Metropolitan gave the president an icon of Holy Theotokos of Dechani.

His Holiness asked his guests to convey brotherly kiss and express love to His Holiness Patriarch Pavle, also wishing him courage: " Weall pray for him", said Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia. At the end of the conversation His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije gave Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia an icon of St John the Baptist of the Lord.

Source: Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral