Press Release
For immediate use
22 March 2014
Coptic
Orthodox Church UK
Media
and Communications Office
Coptic
Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media
and Communications Office
A Papal
Delegation from the Coptic Orthodox Church met with delegates of the Russian
Orthodox Church in Moscow on 21 March 2014.
A delegation representing the Coptic Orthodox Church, comprising Their
Graces: Bishop Kyrillos of Milan, Papal Exarch in Europe, Bishop Raphael,
General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Bishop
Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom,
met with His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk,
Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations in
Moscow on Friday 21 March 2014.
During the warm and fraternal meeting with His Eminence and staff of
the department for external church relations, there was exploration of: the
deepening and continuing relationships between the Churches through shared
theological understanding and pastoral experience, the establishment of a
Coptic Orthodox parish for the ministry and pastoral care of Coptic Orthodox
expatriates in the Russian Federation, and preparation for the upcoming visit
of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the
See of Saint Mark, to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
Commenting on the meeting, His Grace Bishop Angaelos said:
“Our Churches, both deeply rooted in Orthodox
belief and practice, have had a strong and long-standing relationship, both
ecumenically and fraternally, and these meetings, along with the upcoming visit
of His Holiness Pope Tawadros, stand to further and deepen that relationship.
We have had many shared experiences throughout our histories which have led us
to safeguarding our Faith in our respective nations despite substantial
struggles faced; this commonality and shared experience allows us to have a
greater common witness today, and even more powerfully going forward.”
During their visit, the bishops celebrated a Eucharistic Liturgy with
members of the Coptic Orthodox community in Moscow.
The delegation was hosted by His Excellency Dr Mahmoud El-Badry,
Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation.
*Ends*
