Patriarch Kirill meets with Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church

The Primates of the Russian and the Serbian Orthodox Churches had a talk at the Patriarchal working residence in Chisty Pereulok.

His Holiness Irinej, Patriarch of Serbia, who had arrived in Moscow earlier, was accompanied by Bishop Irinej of Backa; abbot of the Kovilj Monastery, Archimandrite Isihije (Rogic) elected Bishop of Mohac; Deacon Alexander Prascevic, head of the Patriarchal office; and Dejan Nakic, the Patriarch’s personal secretary.

The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR), Bishop Ioann of Domodedovo, Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice-chairman, Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, DECR secretary for inter-Orthodox relations, and A. Khoshev, a DECR staff member.

Warmly welcoming the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Kirill noted, ‘We are very glad that you have arrived in Moscow in connection with your election as a winner of the prize of the Unity of Orthodox Nations international Foundation’.

Patriarch Kirill underscored the significance of the contribution made by Patriarch Irenaeus and the whole Serbian Church to the unity of Orthodoxy, saying, ‘We will honour you as a prize-winner, and on the eve of this event I would like to meet you to exchange opinions concerning some important matters’.

On his part, Patriarch Irinej expressed gratitude for the award ‘for outstanding work for consolidating the unity of Orthodox nations’, and said that this award was a great honour for him.

The two patriarchs discussed a wide range of issues concerning the bilateral relations and common Orthodox unity.

In conclusion they exchanged tokens of the meeting.

Source: mospat.ru