DECR chairman attends reception given on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
On October 31, 2017, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), attended a festive reception given at the Pashkov House to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Attending the reception were representative of Christian confession and traditional religious communities of Russia, state authorities, diplomatic corps, and public figures. Besides Metropolitan Hilarion, the Russian Orthodox Church was represented by hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), DECR secretary for inter-Christian relations, and Philip Champion, a DECR staff member.
Mr. Sergei Kirienko, the first deputy head of the Russian Presidential Administration, read out a message from the head of the state and welcomed all those present. He reminded them that much of the 20th century was a hard time of trial for the believers, but at present “the state is doing its best for restoring historical justice, which means to return and restore the ruined churches and to support national religious revival.”
Metropolitan Hilarion delivered a welcome address and presented the Moscow Lutheran community with his book “Jesus Christ. Life and Teaching” in six volumes.
Source: mospat.ru
