Papal Delegation from the Coptic Orthodox Church met with delegates of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow on 21 March 2014

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications
Office

 

Coptic Orthodox Church
(Europe)

Media and Communications
Office

 

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 were also discussed.

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.

View
this press release online via CopticMediaUK.com