Conversations between delegations of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople
20.02.2001 · English, Архив 2001
CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN DELEGATIONS OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THE PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
The delegations of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople met in Berlin on February 19 to discuss the church situation in Estonia and Ukraine.
Taking part in the conversations on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church were Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, acting secretary of the DECR for InterOrthodox relations and institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church located abroad. Taking part in the conversations on behalf of the Patriarchate of Constantinople were Metropolitan John of Pergamon and Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, General Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople.
The participants in the conversations called upon the hierarchs of the two Orthodox jurisdictions in Estonia to conclude to an agreement to stop property disputes. By this agreement each church structure will have property rights to church property, which they actually use at present. The delegations approved the text of the agreement and consented to submit it to the Holy Synods of both Patriarchates for consideration.
The sides agreed to continue consultations on the church situation in Ukraine and discussed possibilities of common actions aimed at achieving the unity among the Orthodox believers and at overcoming the existing schisms.
The delegations exchanged opinions on the ways of overcoming church schism in Macedonia and discussed other matters of mutual interest.
The next meeting of the delegations of the two Patriarchates is planned for 19-20 April 2001.
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