Delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate visiting the head-quarters of the European Union

DELEGATION OF THE MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE VISITING THE HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

In keeping with the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, an official delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate was on an official visit to the head-quarters of the European Union in Brussels from January 20 to 22, 1999, for negotiations. The delegation was led by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, and included Archbishop Longin of Klin and Archpriest Victor Petliuchenko, a DECR vice-chairman.

They met and talked with Mr. J. Gil-Delgado, President of the European Parliament, Mr. K. Jataganos, EU Presidential Cabinet member, Mr. H. van den Brock, EU Commissioner for Eastern Europe, Mr. T. Jansen, leader of the EU development studies group, and other officials.

They dealt with a wide range of problems involved in the need for dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and European inter-state organizations. In particular, they discussed a possibility for representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church to participate in events and debates held in the European community to work out decisions in moral, legal and ideological spheres.

“Historically, the humanitarian standards generally adopted today, in particular those concerning human rights, religious freedom and rights of minorities, were developed in the divided post-war world, when European inter-state structures included only Western countries. At present, when cooperation between the united Europe and the Eastern European countries, many of which are of the Orthodox tradition, is actively developing, a fundamental need arises for the Orthodox Church to enter into dialogue with European institutions on problems concerning the religious, spiritual and moral dimensions in the life of people”, stressed Metropolitan Kirill in the course of the negotiations.

During the visit of the Russian Orthodox delegation, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad met with Metropolitan Panteleimon of Belgium (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Bishop Emmanuel of Rigium, representative of the Patriarchate of Constantinople at the European Union, and executives of Russian missions accredited in Brussels. Mr. S. Kislyak, Russian ambassador in Belgium and at NATO, gave a reception in honour of Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad.

Metropolitan Kirill also visited the diocese of the Hague and the Netherlands of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Russian ambassador in the Hague, A. Khodakov, gave a reception in honour of the metropolitan.

On January 23, 1999, Metropolitan Kirill officiated at All-Night Vigil at the Church of St. Nicholas in Amsterdam. On the following day, he celebrated the liturgy on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Parish of Our Lady “Swift to Hearken” in Rotterdam. His Eminence prayed there for the repose of the soul of Bishop Dionysios (Rotter) of the blessed memory. After the service, he presented church decorations to Archpriest George Krasnotsvetov, rector of the Church, hegumen Ignatius Lockhorst, Father Eustratius Bergman, deacon Sergius Merks and a group of active members of the parish. His Eminence visited this church 22 years ago, when the future of the parish was at stake. Today the church could not even accommodate all those who wished to attend the festive service. His Eminence Kirill addressed the congregation with a pastoral homily.

Metropolitan Kirill also met with the Russian ambassador in Luxemburg, O. Krivonogov. They talked about the situation of the Orthodox Russian-speaking faithful in the country. They were joined in their talk by representatives of the religious and secular public in Luxemburg.